US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that Washington was in talks to provide a $20bn swap line to Argentina
Source: FT
Saudi Arabia’s stocks soar after reports that foreign ownership limits will be axed ‼️
The Capital Market Authority (CMA) is moving toward allowing foreigners to own majority stakes in local companies, Bloomberg reported. The Authority is close to approving a major amendment to raise the cap on foreign ownership in listed companies, which currently stands at 49%, the agency quoted CMA board member Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen bin Hassan as saying. He highlighted that the regulator is almost ready for this step and is awaiting approval from the relevant government entities. “It is prepared to move forward,” said the official, without specifying the final ownership cap that will be permitted for foreigners, expecting the decision to come into effect before the end of this year. Allowing foreign ownership to exceed 50% of capital in listed companies will increase the relative weights of Saudi stocks in MSCI indices, which could attract significant capital inflows, as these indices reduce the weight of companies that impose foreign ownership restrictions. Source: Argaam, Reuters
Scott Bessent signaled that the U.S. is prepared to support Argentina amid its economic crisis, viewing the country as a key ally in Latin America.
He outlined possible measures—such as swap lines, dollar purchases, and using the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund to buy Argentine debt—showing Washington’s seriousness. The support is linked to President Javier Milei’s reform agenda, which Bessent praises for its focus on fiscal discipline and growth. U.S. backing could stabilize the peso, restore investor confidence, and counter China’s influence in the region. However, it carries risks: taxpayer exposure, Argentina’s history of failed reforms, and the danger of dependency. Bessent stressed that U.S. aid will only come with expectations of real follow-through from Buenos Aires, making success dependent on Argentina’s political and economic discipline. Source: StockMarket.news
UBS Ukraine Reconstruction Index hit a fresh ATH on Trump peace push.
Top gainers in the index include: Ferrexpo (+20%), Raiffeisen Bank (+12%), Wienerberger (+9.5%), CRH (+7%). Source: HolgerZ, Bloomberg
Emerging markets $EEM are breaking out to 3-year highs.
Source: Ross J Brown RJB Financial Direction Limited
A clean multi decade breakout?
Source: The Long View, @HayekAndKeynes
This is EM currency performance versus the Dollar in 2024. The 3 worst performers are: (i) Argentina's Peso; (ii) Brazil's Real; (iii) Russia's Ruble.
Source: Bloomberg, Robin Brooks
The Ratio of Emerging Markets to US Equities is now at an all-time low, breaking below the prior low from March 1999.
Source: Charlie Bilello
