Argentine shares closed firmer on Friday but trade was cautious, with investors waiting for long delayed approval of an IMF loan review and to see second quarter results due out next week, traders said. The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange's benchmark MerVal share index closed up 1.16 percent at 966.10 points.
Trading volume was a modest 36.1 million pesos ($12.1 million). The index is down nearly 10 percent in the year-to-date, but gained 2.2 percent in July.
"There is optimism over quarterly results and depending on these numbers, investors will make their trade decisions," said Hector Bergoglio, a trader at Rabello y Compania brokerage.
The Argentine peso closed stable at 2.9725/2.9775 to the dollar.
In local trading, aluminium producer Aluar ended among the leading gainers, up 4.21 percent at 3.71 pesos.
Traders were waiting to see whether the International Monetary Fund would approve its latest review of a $13 billion loan deal.
Many investors believe the IMF will not approve the loan program until September.
Approval would free up $735 million in loans for the South American country, recovering from its worst economic crisis ever two years ago.
Argentina is in the midst of a complicated restructuring of $100 billion in defaulted debt.
Bondholders have largely rejected its offer of 25 cents on the dollar plus past due interest.