Uncategorized
Argentina | Uruguay-style restructuring
admin | October 11, 2019
This document is intended for institutional investors and is not subject to all of the independence and disclosure standards applicable to debt research reports prepared for retail investors. This material does not constitute research.
The latest headlines make consistent reference to a Uruguay restructuring under the potential Fernandez administration. This implies a friendlier extension of maturities without an explicit haircut on capital and with a willingness to repay. But there is much debate on whether this is a solvency or liquidity problem. Execution risk is high if Argentina wants to avoid a hard default given difficult liquidity challenges and the complexity of coordinating a local and external debt restructuring.
It is not clear whether the next administration can separate external debt restructuring from IMF negotiations and then convince bondholders to accept terms without clearly explaining medium-term debt repayment capacity. It’s not ideal if the debt re-profiling proposal pre-empts IMF negotiations; however liquidity relief would offer some necessary breathing room and imply some upside from current levels. This probably explains the recent strength and outperformance of the shorter tenors.
The Uruguay restructuring was a friendly restructuring that offered a menu to investors of either a 5-year maturity extension option or the option of exchanging into a benchmark bond of either short, middle or longer tenors. There was no explicit haircut on capital or coupons. Uruguay took the difficult decision of seeking only liquidity as opposed to solvency relief on the expectations that it would successfully maximize participation—getting a threshold of 95% participation or cancellation and exit consents—without the cram-down of collective action clauses. There was also the benefit of a track record of conservative policy management of its investment-grade status and the market’s willingness to interpret its 2002 liquidity crisis as the aftermath of extreme economic contagion from Argentina and not a self-inflicted crisis. This provided some reassurance on the medium-term debt repayment capacity, especially against the backdrop of positive shock of higher commodity prices on double-digit China growth.
The context is different now for Argentina. There is not the same confidence about policy management and debt repayment capacity; however collective action clauses may encourage majority participation—forced participation of pessimistic investors and voluntary participation of optimistic investors. It’s going to be highly volatile on these opposing forces between high execution risks and suboptimal policy risks and positive event risk of liquidity relief post restructuring. There has been consistent reference from candidate Fernandez and his economic advisers of “fiscal discipline” and friendly debt “re-profiling.” However, there is not yet a coherent plan about the challenges of reaching a primary surplus necessary to stabilize the debt dynamics. There is also the concern that postponing amortizations is not sufficient liquidity relief after taking into account the large gross financing needs including a primary deficit of 1% to 2% of GDP and 3% of GDP in debt service and limited access to capital after already tapping the lender of last resort and having voluntary capital market access restricted after default. A pre-emptive debt negotiation with external investors apparently reflects a de facto reluctance to embrace fiscal reform.
Exhibit 1: The simulations of gains/losses after 5-year maturity extensions under different exit yields
Source: Bloomberg, Amherst Pierpont Securities
If we run a simulation of a Uruguay-style 5-year maturity extension on the Eurobonds, then the simple interpretation reaffirms the outperformance of the higher coupon and shorter tenor bonds (Exhibit 1). The initial guidance was for a 4-year extension up through 10-year maturities, but it’s unclear how to legally selectively default for cross default clauses. The negative interest rate environment offers a unique opportunity, with conservative exit yield scenarios (10%-15%) still offering potential for mark-to-market gains (Exhibit 2). The most conservative exit yields of 15% would still offer significant upside, ranging from 5%-22% capital returns from current dirty prices.
Exhibit 2: The pre and post bond prices for 5-year maturity extension under 12% exit yields
Source: Bloomberg, Amherst Pierpont Securities
Ecuador would represent an optimistic lower threshold for a post-restructuring comparative liquid, benchmark credit that trades at 10% for 10-year maturities. There are few if any currently performing emerging market credits that offer higher double-digit yields except perhaps Suriname and Zambia. The liquidity relief on maturity extension would allow for lower yields on the shorter tenors for a bullish flattening trend, though not quite normalization for the persistent debt trap until there is conviction for a primary fiscal surplus. The lower coupon/longer maturity bonds underperform on the maturity extension scenario. We are hesitant to over-interpret these results at such an early phase and much uncertainty on rollover risks for still tight liquidity conditions. The “muddling through” scenario would be difficult post Uruguay-style restructuring without any relief on coupons at 1.5% of GDP for the large gross financing needs and limited access to capital. The relative value trends would shift if the debt restructuring includes a haircut on coupons with outperformance of the lower coupon/longer tenor bonds. There is high variability in these simulations dependent upon whether liquidity relief includes deferral of amortizations and/or coupons and an early phase of understanding the liquidity/solvency ratios following an assumed political transition next year.
This material is intended only for institutional investors and does not carry all of the independence and disclosure standards of retail debt research reports. In the preparation of this material, the author may have consulted or otherwise discussed the matters referenced herein with one or more of SCM’s trading desks, any of which may have accumulated or otherwise taken a position, long or short, in any of the financial instruments discussed in or related to this material. Further, SCM may act as a market maker or principal dealer and may have proprietary interests that differ or conflict with the recipient hereof, in connection with any financial instrument discussed in or related to this material.
This message, including any attachments or links contained herein, is subject to important disclaimers, conditions, and disclosures regarding Electronic Communications, which you can find at https://portfolio-strategy.apsec.com/sancap-disclaimers-and-disclosures.
Important Disclaimers
Copyright © 2025 Santander US Capital Markets LLC and its affiliates (“SCM”). All rights reserved. SCM is a member of FINRA and SIPC. This material is intended for limited distribution to institutions only and is not publicly available. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited.
In making this material available, SCM (i) is not providing any advice to the recipient, including, without limitation, any advice as to investment, legal, accounting, tax and financial matters, (ii) is not acting as an advisor or fiduciary in respect of the recipient, (iii) is not making any predictions or projections and (iv) intends that any recipient to which SCM has provided this material is an “institutional investor” (as defined under applicable law and regulation, including FINRA Rule 4512 and that this material will not be disseminated, in whole or part, to any third party by the recipient.
The author of this material is an economist, desk strategist or trader. In the preparation of this material, the author may have consulted or otherwise discussed the matters referenced herein with one or more of SCM’s trading desks, any of which may have accumulated or otherwise taken a position, long or short, in any of the financial instruments discussed in or related to this material. Further, SCM or any of its affiliates may act as a market maker or principal dealer and may have proprietary interests that differ or conflict with the recipient hereof, in connection with any financial instrument discussed in or related to this material.
This material (i) has been prepared for information purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities, related investments or other financial instruments, (ii) is neither research, a “research report” as commonly understood under the securities laws and regulations promulgated thereunder nor the product of a research department, (iii) or parts thereof may have been obtained from various sources, the reliability of which has not been verified and cannot be guaranteed by SCM, (iv) should not be reproduced or disclosed to any other person, without SCM’s prior consent and (v) is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which its distribution would be prohibited.
In connection with this material, SCM (i) makes no representation or warranties as to the appropriateness or reliance for use in any transaction or as to the permissibility or legality of any financial instrument in any jurisdiction, (ii) believes the information in this material to be reliable, has not independently verified such information and makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy or completeness of such information, (iii) accepts no responsibility or liability as to any reliance placed, or investment decision made, on the basis of such information by the recipient and (iv) does not undertake, and disclaims any duty to undertake, to update or to revise the information contained in this material.
Unless otherwise stated, the views, opinions, forecasts, valuations, or estimates contained in this material are those solely of the author, as of the date of publication of this material, and are subject to change without notice. The recipient of this material should make an independent evaluation of this information and make such other investigations as the recipient considers necessary (including obtaining independent financial advice), before transacting in any financial market or instrument discussed in or related to this material.
Important disclaimers for clients in the EU and UK
This publication has been prepared by Trading Desk Strategists within the Sales and Trading functions of Santander US Capital Markets LLC (“SanCap”), the US registered broker-dealer of Santander Corporate & Investment Banking. This communication is distributed in the EEA by Banco Santander S.A., a credit institution registered in Spain and authorised and regulated by the Bank of Spain and the CNMV. Any EEA recipient of this communication that would like to affect any transaction in any security or issuer discussed herein should do so with Banco Santander S.A. or any of its affiliates (together “Santander”). This communication has been distributed in the UK by Banco Santander, S.A.’s London branch, authorised by the Bank of Spain and subject to regulatory oversight on certain matters by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
The publication is intended for exclusive use for Professional Clients and Eligible Counterparties as defined by MiFID II and is not intended for use by retail customers or for any persons or entities in any jurisdictions or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
This material is not a product of Santander´s Research Team and does not constitute independent investment research. This is a marketing communication and may contain ¨investment recommendations¨ as defined by the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 ("MAR"). This publication has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. The author, date and time of the production of this publication are as indicated herein.
This publication does not constitute investment advice and may not be relied upon to form an investment decision, nor should it be construed as any offer to sell or issue or invitation to purchase, acquire or subscribe for any instruments referred herein. The publication has been prepared in good faith and based on information Santander considers reliable as of the date of publication, but Santander does not guarantee or represent, express or implied, that such information is accurate or complete. All estimates, forecasts and opinions are current as at the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise indicated, Santander does not intend to update this publication. The views and commentary in this publication may not be objective or independent of the interests of the Trading and Sales functions of Santander, who may be active participants in the markets, investments or strategies referred to herein and/or may receive compensation from investment banking and non-investment banking services from entities mentioned herein. Santander may trade as principal, make a market or hold positions in instruments (or related derivatives) and/or hold financial interest in entities discussed herein. Santander may provide market commentary or trading strategies to other clients or engage in transactions which may differ from views expressed herein. Santander may have acted upon the contents of this publication prior to you having received it.
This publication is intended for the exclusive use of the recipient and must not be reproduced, redistributed or transmitted, in whole or in part, without Santander’s consent. The recipient agrees to keep confidential at all times information contained herein.
