BUENOS AIRES, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Argentina's October trade surplus is seen narrowing by 4.2 percent from the same month a year ago, with exports falling even faster than imports, a Reuters survey showed.
The survey of eight analysts gave a median forecast for a surplus of $975 million, with estimates for the surplus -06 ranging from $850 million to $1.309 billion.
The average forecast in the poll was for a surplus of $1.015 billion, following a surplus of $1.018 billion in October 2008.
Analysts saw a slow comeback in economic activity following the global slowdown.
'There are seasonal changes that are more visible now because a year ago the global recession was hitting us hard,' an analyst said. 'We're seeing some recovery but it's still light.'
He added that despite some restrictions on imports, exports are helping keep a a positive trade balance, although with smaller gains than previous months.
The global slowdown has hit demand for Argentina's key exports of automobiles and grains such as soybeans and corn, pressuring the trade surplus and putting an end to six years of robust growth in Latin America's No. 3 economy.
According to the poll, Argentina's exports may have totaled
$4.7 billion in October and imports may have reached $3.7 billion, compared with $6.147 billion exported and $5.129 billion imported in October of 2008.
A monthly Central Bank poll shows analysts expect a trade surplus of $949 million in October.
The government is expected to release the trade balance figures on Friday at 4 p.m. (1900 GMT).
(Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Luis Andres Henao; Editing by Andrew Hay) ((luis.a.henao@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +54 11 4318-0593; Reuters Messaging: luis.a.henao.reuters.com@reuters.net))
((For historical Argentine statistical data in Spanish, please see pages through)) Keywords: ARGENTINA ECONOMY/TRADE Keywords: ARGENTINA ECONOMY/TRADE (Xtra: To see a calendar of Argentine economic indicators please click on or type in ARECI02 on a quote page and press enter. For separate pages detailing Argentine analysts' economic forecasts, click on,, and) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The survey of eight analysts gave a median forecast for a surplus of $975 million, with estimates for the surplus -06 ranging from $850 million to $1.309 billion.
The average forecast in the poll was for a surplus of $1.015 billion, following a surplus of $1.018 billion in October 2008.
Analysts saw a slow comeback in economic activity following the global slowdown.
'There are seasonal changes that are more visible now because a year ago the global recession was hitting us hard,' an analyst said. 'We're seeing some recovery but it's still light.'
He added that despite some restrictions on imports, exports are helping keep a a positive trade balance, although with smaller gains than previous months.
The global slowdown has hit demand for Argentina's key exports of automobiles and grains such as soybeans and corn, pressuring the trade surplus and putting an end to six years of robust growth in Latin America's No. 3 economy.
According to the poll, Argentina's exports may have totaled
$4.7 billion in October and imports may have reached $3.7 billion, compared with $6.147 billion exported and $5.129 billion imported in October of 2008.
A monthly Central Bank poll shows analysts expect a trade surplus of $949 million in October.
The government is expected to release the trade balance figures on Friday at 4 p.m. (1900 GMT).
(Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Luis Andres Henao; Editing by Andrew Hay) ((luis.a.henao@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +54 11 4318-0593; Reuters Messaging: luis.a.henao.reuters.com@reuters.net))
((For historical Argentine statistical data in Spanish, please see pages through)) Keywords: ARGENTINA ECONOMY/TRADE Keywords: ARGENTINA ECONOMY/TRADE (Xtra: To see a calendar of Argentine economic indicators please click on or type in ARECI02 on a quote page and press enter. For separate pages detailing Argentine analysts' economic forecasts, click on,, and) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.