Merval closes slightly higher

The panel of leading stocks index gained 0.3 percent to 3,382.09 points.

Meanwhile, Argentina's country-risk fell 1.3 percent to 528 basis points in the JP Morgan EMBI index.

The US currency traded for AR$4.07/AR$4.03, remaining unchanged compared to the previous closing price in the main banks and bureaux de change in Buenos Aires downtown.

The main indicator of the Brazilian stock market's average performance increased 0.9 percent to 68,586.69 points.

It has dropped 1 percent so far in 2011.

Meanwhile, the US dollar rose 0.1 percent to R$1.631 on the local spot market.