Merval Rises as Wine Sector Slumps | Argentina Macro Daily

Date: March 18, 2026

Merval Rises as Wine Sector Slumps

Summary

Market Snapshot

AssetLevelChange
MERVAL2,663,049.00+2.18%
USD/ARS1,395.50-0.07%
YPF38.11+1.76%
MercadoLibre1,728.14-0.24%
Globant44.63+0.38%
Soybeans1,151.75-0.45%
Gold4,991.40-0.19%
Bitcoin74,074.53+0.21%

Prior Economic Events

Data Prior Cons Actual
No events available

Upcoming Economic Events

Data Prior Cons Time
No events available

Yesterday's Recap

Argentine markets showed strength yesterday, with the Merval index rising 2.18% to 2,663,049.00, fueled by energy and tech sector advances tied to Vaca Muerta optimism. YPF advanced 1.76% to 38.11, supported by oil production prospects despite commodity fluctuations. The official USD/ARS rate fell 0.07% to 1,395.50, reflecting stability from the BCRA's crawling peg, with parallel rates exhibiting slight shifts.MercadoLibre declined 0.24% to 1,728.14, impacted by currency pressures on e-commerce, while Globant rose 0.38% to 44.63 amid tech inflows. Soybean prices dropped 0.45% to 1,151.75, pressuring agribusiness, and gold eased 0.19% to 4,991.40 as a safe haven. Bitcoin edged up 0.21% to 74,074.53, showing crypto resilience.No economic data was released, directing focus to news on wine sector woes and energy reform signals.

The Day Ahead

With no economic events scheduled today, markets will likely monitor global commodity trends and domestic policy updates. Attention may center on potential Vaca Muerta investment responses to the foreign minister's appeal for energy capital, highlighting reforms like the RIGI regime. Broader sentiment could be influenced by IMF programme adherence and reserve strategies, though no formal announcements are expected.Trading may stay light, affected by external oil price volatility from the Iran conflict. Geopolitical developments impacting exports, such as Strait of Hormuz disruptions, could sway agribusiness and energy stocks. Overall, without key data, focus shifts to news-driven volatility in inflation-sensitive sectors.

Other Economic Notes

Argentina's wine industry is in severe decline, with domestic consumption at record lows and exports falling, worsening agricultural vulnerabilities amid climate change risks that could reduce labor productivity by 2050. The foreign minister urged energy entrepreneurs to invest, pointing to reforms including labor changes, the Glaciers Law, Fiscal Innocence Law, and RIGI incentives, alongside macroeconomic discipline to drive Vaca Muerta growth. Neuquén's real estate market is booming as a refuge for capital in the real economy.(cont...)

Other Economic Notes (continued)

The ban on Polymarket restricts access to prediction markets, potentially curbing financial transparency and innovation. Argentina withdrew from the World Health Organization, following the U.S. path, which may affect health policy coordination.India's infrastructure push in Latin America, like pipelines, could create export avenues for Argentina.

Global Macro News

The Iran conflict is escalating global inflation via oil supply disruptions, turning the Persian Gulf crisis into a food security issue, with U.S. officials exploring relief options that could indirectly aid Argentina's imports. Venezuela's vast oil reserves provide minimal offset to shortages from Strait of Hormuz blockages, heightening commodity market strains for exporters like Argentina in soybeans and energy.U.S. inflation, five years post its "transitory" label, persists in influencing policy, with the Fed poised to maintain rates amid rising risks, affecting emerging market funding. The IMF voiced concerns over Ukraine's access to its $8.1 billion credit line due to parliamentary issues, signaling potential hurdles in international financing for IMF-reliant nations like Argentina.Climate change may drive global physical inactivity by 2050, per a Lancet study, impacting agriculture-dependent economies. Ghana's economy stabilizes with reserves at $14.5 billion and inflation at 3.3%, praised for central bank efforts, offering reserve management insights. In the Philippines, a weakening peso nearing 60:1 and soaring fuel prices may spur April rate hikes, echoing Argentina's currency and oil cost challenges.

BCRA Watch

The BCRA upholds the crawling peg with controlled adjustments, as seen in yesterday's minor USD/ARS decline, aiding reserve preservation under IMF programme terms. The foreign minister's emphasis on fiscal reforms aligns with the bank's inflation-curbing approach, avoiding sharp interventions. No FX actions were noted, but a tightening parallel rate gap indicates effective controls fostering stability.Reserve buildup depends on export sectors like Vaca Muerta, bolstered by investment calls. Markets view this as prudent, lowering near-term rate cut prospects due to global oil-driven inflation. This supports peso steadiness but could challenge export edges if peg pace quickens.

Chart Data

Merval Equity Index | Type: market_hloc | MERVAL Index: 2.663e+06 (2026-03-17) | Range: 2.571e+06–3.244e+06 | Trend(5pt): 3.036e+06,3.077e+06,3.107e+06,2.8e+06,2.663e+06
WTI Crude Oil Price | Type: market_hloc | WTI Oil Price: 94.18 (2026-03-18) | Range: 55.99–98.71 | Trend(5pt): 56.15,59.5,63.21,65.42,94.18
YPF vs MercadoLibre | Type: market_hloc | YPF: 38.11 (2026-03-17) | Range: 32.78–39.79 | Trend(5pt): 35.61,33.82,38.97,37.31,38.11 | MercadoLibre: 1728 (2026-03-17) | Range: 1670–2295 | Trend(5pt): 1964,2150,2100,1768,1728
Soybeans Futures Price | Type: market_hloc | Soybeans Price: 1153 (2026-03-18) | Range: 1023–1213 | Trend(5pt): 1052,1033,1066,1148,1153
USD/ARS FX Rate | Type: market_hloc | USD/ARS: 1396 (2026-03-18) | Range: 1369–1475 | Trend(6pt): 1451,1465,1447,1376,1398,1396

Source: https://robomacro.com/Research_Notes/Argentina_Macro_Daily/AR_Macro_Daily_20260318.html