Main aspects
In December, the BCRA bought USD 1,121 million in the spot exchange market, which was sold by the entities’ customers, USD 827 million, and by the entities, USD 294 million. Real sector companies were net sellers of foreign currency for USD 1,300 million.
Within this group, the main sector with a net supply in historical terms, “Oilseeds and cereals”, had net sales of USD 2,288 million.
Companies in the “Real Non-Oilseeds and Cereals Sector” made net purchases of USD 988 million, mainly to make net payments for goods and services.
The “Individuals”, who basically demand foreign currency for hoarding and trips abroad, bought USD 703 million on a net basis (USD 330 million for banknotes and USD 374 million for the rest of their operations).
“Institutional and other investors,” both resident and non-resident, made net sales in the month of USD 294 million.
In addition to sales in the spot market, entities authorized to operate in foreign exchange made net forward purchases in foreign currency for USD 177 million.
The National Treasury made principal and debt interest payments of USD 1,473 million, highlighting the disbursements for LETES for USD 615 million, the payments of interest on securities for USD 585 million and the payments to International Organizations for USD 175 million. On the other hand, it recorded debt income of USD 159 million corresponding to International Organizations.
As a result of the aforementioned movements, gross international reserves increased by USD 1,009 million, ending December with a stock of USD 44,781 million.
