19/06/2026 13:53 - Economia
Gráfico bursátil con líneas descendentes en rojo sobre fondo de pantallas de trading financieras, representando caída del mercado argentino sin referencia externa
On Friday, June 19, 2026, Argentine financial markets faced a peculiar situation: Wall Street remained closed due to the Juneteenth federal holiday in the United States, commemorating the end of slavery. Without the guidance of New York's main exchanges, local assets drifted without clear direction.
The S&P Merval index fell 1.9% to 3,270,336.53 points, complicating what could have been a positive weekly close. The lack of external benchmarks left local investors navigating uncertain waters.
| Stock | Change |
|---|---|
| BBVA Argentina | -4.5% |
| Grupo Supervielle | -4.3% |
| Banco Macro | -3.8% |
Note: All three are major Argentine banks. Banking stocks often reflect investor sentiment about the country's economic stability and growth prospects.
| Bond | Change |
|---|---|
| Global 2029 | -0.7% |
| Bonar 2035 | -0.4% |
What are these bonds? Global and Bonar bonds are Argentine sovereign debt instruments denominated in US dollars, traded internationally. They're key indicators of Argentina's creditworthiness and risk perception.
The international scenario adds further uncertainty. Brent crude oil is heading for a 9% weekly decline, as market participants evaluate the diminishing prospects of a lasting truce between the United States and Iran.
Technical talks were scheduled for this Friday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland to advance a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. However, Switzerland confirmed an indefinite postponement of the meetings, and US Vice President J.D. Vance canceled his trip, citing logistical issues.
The Fed maintained its benchmark interest rate in the range of 3.5%-3.75% this week, an expected decision. However, the dot plot revealed that several officials anticipate a rate increase before year-end.
The median projection for the rate by December 2026 now sits at 3.8%, compared to 3.4% in March projections. New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh declined to present his individual projections.
Impact on Argentina: Higher US interest rates make dollar-denominated assets more attractive, potentially drawing capital away from emerging markets like Argentina and putting pressure on local assets.
Thursday's data revealed that the Public Sector closed May with a financial surplus of 478.6 billion pesos (approximately $478 million USD at official rates), accumulating a positive balance equivalent to 0.2% of GDP year-to-date.
The fiscal discipline continues to be the main pillar of the economic program, though markets appear to be taking profits after strong recent gains.
United States (Thursday): The S&P 500 rose +1.08% to 7,500.58 points. The Nasdaq gained +1.91% to 26,517.93 points. The Dow Jones added +0.14%, closing at 51,564.70 points.
Europe (mid-session): Germany's DAX advanced +0.2% (24,079.30 points). France's CAC 40 traded flat (8,467.75 points). The UK's FTSE 100 retreated -0.2% (10,376.64 points).
Asia: Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rose +0.3% to reach a new record at 71,250.06 points. Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan remained closed for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Juneteenth (June 19) has been a US federal holiday since 2021. It commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For financial markets, it means no trading on US exchanges, creating a void of reference for global markets that typically follow Wall Street's lead.
Sources: Ámbito Financiero, BitFinanzas, Yahoo Finance
Alfredo S. Quiroga
