Argentina's economy is expected to have contracted 2.6% in the third quarter of 2024 versus a year earlier, the sixth straight such decline, but expanded against the quarter before, breaking a technical recession going back to the end of last year, Reuters reported. A Reuters poll on Thursday, involving 13 local and foreign analysts, gave the year-on-year contraction of gross domestic product (GDP), which follows a 1.7% contraction in the second quarter and a steep 5.1% drop in the first quarter.

Argentina’s monthly inflation slowed to the lowest level since July 2020, handing President Javier Milei another victory on voters’ biggest concern a year after taking office, Bloomberg News reported. Consumer prices rose 2.4% in November, compared with the 2.8% median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Annual inflation slowed to 166%, according to government data published Wednesday.

Brazil’s central bank lifted its key interest rate by one percentage point and surprised investors by promising two more hikes of the same size, its strongest move yet to recover investor confidence and tame inflation expectations that have been propelled by public spending and a hot economy, Bloomberg News reported. Board members boosted the Selic to 12.25% late on Wednesday as expected by 14 of 35 economists in a Bloomberg survey, with all others expecting a smaller rise.

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. and Abra Group Limited have announced a key step in GOL’s financial restructuring journey, AviationSourceNews.com reported. The airline will file an initial proposed chapter 11 reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The filing marks a critical step in addressing its financial challenges and positioning the airline for future growth. This strategic move follows a comprehensive Plan Support Agreement (PSA) signed on November 6, 2024, which involves GOL, Abra Group, their affiliated entities, and the unsecured creditors committee.

Argentina's monthly inflation is likely to have remained under 3% in November, near its lowest level of the year but slightly up from the month before, underscoring the challenge for libertarian president Javier Milei to rein in prices, Reuters reported. A Reuters poll of analysts published on Tuesday showed a median forecast rise of 2.8% in the month after 2.7% in October. Estimates ranged from a 2.4% increase to 3%. Argentina has been battling to bring down what has been the highest inflation rate in the world, peaking at almost 300% a year.

Province of Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof said he would try to block any federal government efforts to sell or shut down the loss-making national carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas SA, Bloomberg News reported. President Javier Milei is looking to push a bill through congress that would clear the way to the airline’s privatization, part of his plans to shrink the size of the state in the debt-ridden nation.

Brazil coffee exporters owned by Montesanto Tavares Group Participações SA were granted a 60-day grace period to renegotiate debt with creditors, Bloomberg News reported. The decision, seen by Bloomberg News, was issued Friday by Judge Murilo Silvio de Abreu. The judge earlier this week declined a similar request for a grace period from the two companies owned by Montesanto — Atlântica Exportação e Importação SA and Cafebras Comércio de Cafés do Brasil SA.

A Brazilian judge ruled against major coffee exporter Montesanto Tavares Group Participações SA, which has been attempting to renegotiate debt owed to banks and firms including commodities trader Cargill Inc., Bloomberg News reported. Companies owned by the coffee group — Atlântica Exportação e Importação SA and Cafebras Comércio de Cafés do Brasil SA — were denied their joint request for a 60-day grace period on debt repayment as they negotiate with creditors in order to avoid filing for bankruptcy.

InterCement Participacoes SA, the cash-strapped Brazilian cement maker, filed for bankruptcy protection at a court in São Paulo, capping months of talks with creditors after skipping debt payments, Bloomberg News reported. The filing in Brazil became “the most appropriate option” to ensure the continuity of InterCement’s restructuring efforts, the firm said in the late Tuesday filing. Its parent company Mover Participacoes and subsidiaries are also part of the request.

Colombia’s finance chief has been hit with fresh accusations in an alleged corruption scandal, adding to complications for President Gustavo Petro just as the government tries to navigate a deepening fiscal crisis, Bloomberg News reported. Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla, who has just a month to secure approval for higher taxes meant to cover a 12 trillion peso ($2.7 billion) shortfall in next year’s budget, is now facing significant opposition in Congress, with lawmakers calling for his resignation.