The dollar exchange rate closed the day at $1,200 for purchase and $1,220 for sale, with the Central Bank announcing the purchase of US$ 37 million and closing the week with a positive accumulated balance of US$ 237 million. Despite this favorable balance, the country's gross international reserves decreased by US$ 88 million during the same period, leaving the monetary authority's coffers at US$ 28.798 billion, its lowest level in seven days.
On this day, the marginal currency experienced its first daily drop of the week, retreating by $5. However, compared to the previous Friday, it accumulated a rise of $5, creating a gap of 15.1% with the official dollar. This situation was unusual, as there hadn't been a weekly increase in the blue dollar since January 17, despite financial exchange rates showing declines during the week, partly due to the Central Bank's direct intervention to control the gap.
In the official market, the wholesale dollar was offered at $1,058.25, up 50 cents compared to the close of the previous Thursday. Future dollar contracts remained stable, except for those in February and March, which saw slight increases. Projections indicate that the currency could exceed $1,100 in April and reach $1,144 in June, representing a semiannual increase of 10.9%.
Regarding other exchange modalities, the MEP dollar decreased to $1,183.88, placing the gap with the official at 11.9%. The Contado con Liquidación (CCL) rose to $1,196, increasing the gap with the official dollar to 13%. The tourist or card dollar operated at $1,401.40, exceeding $1,400 for the first time since December. On the other hand, the crypto dollar Bitcoin traded at $1,206.13, while Bitcoin was traded at US$ 97,512, reflecting higher demand, and the blue dollar recorded a weekly increase after a month.
