Argentina raised its key interest rate for a third time in a week, stepping up the fight against a selloff in its currency, after the peso posted its worst drop in more than two years on Thursday.
Policymakers raised the rate by 675 basis points to 40 percent from 33.25 percent on Friday, according to a statement sent by email. The central bank said it will continue to use all tools at its disposal to avoid disruptions in the markets and guarantee a slowdown in inflation. The central bank also said that it was reducing the requirement for bank holdings in foreign currencies to 10 percent from 30 percent, effective May 7.
