The so called “blue” dollar increased 14 cents and closed at 13.08 pesos, hitting a four-month record high amid the intensification of police controls in downtown Buenos Aires, which limit illegal dollar transactions.
Traders were cautious amid fresh controls. The Financial and Currency Entities Superintendence (SEFyC) has sanctioned several foreign exchange houses and banks for more than 45 million pesos on accusations they have conducted «illegal» activities and operated in the parallel market, ámbito.com reported.
News come amid a tightening crackdown on the illegal currency market with the PROCELAC head Carlos Gonella yesterday reporting board members of several companies, including Carrefour Argentina, for “carrying out millionaire illegal financial operations.”
Today’s was the blue’s highest exchange value registered in almost four months. It had traded at 13.11 pesos on February 26.
Meanwhile, the official US dollar rate increased half a cent to close at 9.065 in Buenos Aires city banks and foreign exchange agencies. This way, the gap between the “blue” and the official rate stands at 44.3 percent.
In addition, the blue chip swap rate climbed 23 cents at 12.43 pesos and the stock exchange rate increased six cents at 12.16 pesos.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald