Argentine stocks crept higher on Friday amid an upbeat earnings outlook for selected blue chip stocks and strong regional markets, traders said.
The MerVal index of the leading 12 stocks advanced 1.58 percent to 1,602.63 points, led by steelmaker Siderar, which jumped 4.37 percent to 26.25 pesos after falling 4.55 percent in the previous session. The index has gained 16.5 percent in the year-to-date. Trade volume was thin at 81.3 million pesos ($27 million).
Investors picked shares expected to show strong third-quarter and nine-month earnings in reports due by November 11. Markets are on edge waiting for the US Federal Reserve's next policy meeting on Tuesday when it is widely expected to raise interest rates.