Argentina's country risk rose 0.78% on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, closing at 515 basis points. The increase aligned with a general decline in local sovereign bonds, as the market absorbed domestic and international financial contexts.
The index compiled by JP Morgan, known as the Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI), measured Argentina's country risk at 515 basis points at the close of trading on February 18, 2026. This represented an increase of four units from the previous day, when it had closed at 511 points, interrupting a slight downward trend.
During the session, the indicator opened at 509 points and reached a high of 515 units, stabilizing at that level. The upward movement was driven by the negative performance of sovereign bonds: Bonares fell up to 0.80%, while Globals recorded an average decline of 0.60%.
Over the past week, the country risk showed an irregular evolution, staying near 500 points. On February 11 it was at 506 points, rose to 514 on the 12th, reached 519 on the 13th and held at that level until the 16th, before dropping to 511 on the 17th. The rebound to 515 reflects sensitivity to internal factors, such as the 3.3% drop in the S&P Merval index, and external ones, like uncertainty in the global technology sector.
Market analysts, such as Alexander Londoño from ActivTrades, have noted that a country risk around 500 points is consistent with an improvement scenario. However, the index remains above the lows recorded at the end of January, when it reached 493 units.
The country risk measures the difference in interest rates between emerging market bonds and U.S. Treasury bonds, expressed in basis points. An increase indicates a higher perception of default risk, making financing more expensive for the state and companies.
