ARGENTINA-SWINE FLU HITS STOCK MARKET.
Argentina’s stock, currency and bond market trends yesterday:
The MerVal stocks index fell 1.16 percent to 1,244.52 points as investors fretted over the spread of a new strain of flu adding to the global economy’s troubles.
Buenos Aires-listed shares of Brazil’s state-run energy company Petrobras fell 3.65 percent to 60.7 pesos per share.
On the broader market, volume was 10.4 million dollars. Of active issues 15 advanced, 37 declined and 11 were unchanged.
Prices for government bonds traded over the counter in Buenos Aires fell after four straight sessions of gains, sliding 0.8 percent on average over the concerns about swine flu.
Peso-denominated Par bonds shed 2.8 percent, according to the ask price. In formal exchange between banks, the peso retreated 0.2 percent at $3.7025/3.705 per dollar.
In informal trade between foreign exchange houses as measured by Reuters, the peso gained 0.13 percent to end at $3.735/3.74.