Argentina's Markets Bounce as Milei Party Wins Landslide Victory
In a stunning turn of events, President Javier Milei's party has emerged victorious in Argentina's midterm election, securing a landslide win that is expected to usher in a new era of economic reforms. The market reaction has been swift and decisive, with Argentine assets surging across the board.
The Buenos Aires province, a traditionally Peronist stronghold, was one of the key battlegrounds where Milei's party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), emerged victorious, receiving 41.5% of the vote compared to 40.8% for the opposition coalition. Nationally, LLA took over 40% of the vote, a significantly better-than-expected result.
The victory has sent shockwaves through the markets, with international bonds rallying between 9 and 13 cents each, local stocks jumping by as much as 20%, and the peso strengthening by up to 6% against the dollar. This unexpected surge is attributed in part to US backing, with the United States pledging a combined $40 billion to support Milei's reform agenda.
Analysts are hailing the victory as a major turning point for Argentina's economy, which has been struggling with high inflation and a depleted foreign exchange reserve. "His victory was so much larger than expected," said Thierry Larose, portfolio manager at Vontobel Asset Management. "Previously he was in a state of survival, and now he's in a very strong position to try to form tactical alliances and push some reforms that were completely out of reach."
With the US support, Milei's party is seen as more likely to push through ambitious economic reforms, which could potentially lead to a shift towards a managed-float exchange rate framework. This, in turn, could boost investor confidence and attract foreign investment.
"I think a stronger exchange rate is feasible," said Graham Stock, senior sovereign strategist at RBC BlueBay Global Asset Management. "They need to take advantage of peso strength to buy up dollars and build those reserves up, which they can do with the current regime."
As the Argentine market continues to rally, investors are taking note of the improved prospects for economic reform and potential foreign investment. The midterms have provided a longer horizon for potential foreign investments in both financial assets and real assets.
With the stronger position for Milei's party in the legislature, there is now hope for reform-minded candidates even in the next general ballot in 2027.
In a stunning turn of events, President Javier Milei's party has emerged victorious in Argentina's midterm election, securing a landslide win that is expected to usher in a new era of economic reforms. The market reaction has been swift and decisive, with Argentine assets surging across the board.
The Buenos Aires province, a traditionally Peronist stronghold, was one of the key battlegrounds where Milei's party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), emerged victorious, receiving 41.5% of the vote compared to 40.8% for the opposition coalition. Nationally, LLA took over 40% of the vote, a significantly better-than-expected result.
The victory has sent shockwaves through the markets, with international bonds rallying between 9 and 13 cents each, local stocks jumping by as much as 20%, and the peso strengthening by up to 6% against the dollar. This unexpected surge is attributed in part to US backing, with the United States pledging a combined $40 billion to support Milei's reform agenda.
Analysts are hailing the victory as a major turning point for Argentina's economy, which has been struggling with high inflation and a depleted foreign exchange reserve. "His victory was so much larger than expected," said Thierry Larose, portfolio manager at Vontobel Asset Management. "Previously he was in a state of survival, and now he's in a very strong position to try to form tactical alliances and push some reforms that were completely out of reach."
With the US support, Milei's party is seen as more likely to push through ambitious economic reforms, which could potentially lead to a shift towards a managed-float exchange rate framework. This, in turn, could boost investor confidence and attract foreign investment.
"I think a stronger exchange rate is feasible," said Graham Stock, senior sovereign strategist at RBC BlueBay Global Asset Management. "They need to take advantage of peso strength to buy up dollars and build those reserves up, which they can do with the current regime."
As the Argentine market continues to rally, investors are taking note of the improved prospects for economic reform and potential foreign investment. The midterms have provided a longer horizon for potential foreign investments in both financial assets and real assets.
With the stronger position for Milei's party in the legislature, there is now hope for reform-minded candidates even in the next general ballot in 2027.