Argentina Still $2.4 Billion Short for January Bond Payments

With just five trading days left ahead of a crucial Jan. 9 deadline, Argentina’s Treasury only has $1.9 billion of the $4.3 billion it owes despite recent efforts to bolster the country’s stash of dollars.

Economy Minister Luis Caputo still has options though as he looks to scrape together the rest. They include a possible repurchase agreement — effectively a loan — with Wall Street banks or potentially tapping Argentina’s $20 billion swap line with the US Treasury Department. For now, Caputo has downplayed the likelihood of selling bonds abroad in January.

Argentine authorities on Tuesday took steps to prepare ...