Argentina’s March 31 deadline to wrap up talks with bondholders is increasingly looking like a long shot, Bloomberg News reported. President Alberto Fernandez’s government gave itself just two months to collect ideas, host the International Monetary Fund and finalize an offer with its creditors as the country stares down a total debt load of more than $300 billion. Analysts doubt there will be enough time. Fernandez, whose government took office in early December, hasn’t offered a clear reason for picking the March 31 date or provided detail on what an offer to investors may include. The challenge will be striking a balance in a plan that appeals to investors while still giving the nation much-needed relief. While the nation’s roadmap may lead to some version of an initial offer, there’s little chance it’ll be the end of debt talks, said Stuart Culverhouse, head of sovereign and fixed income research at Tellimer Markets Inc. in London. Bondholders will want clarity on what an agreement with the IMF will look like and what kind of concessions Argentina wants.
