Paraguay's stock exchange sees 3% drop in trading volume

The Asunción Stock Exchange (BVA) recorded trading operations totaling G. 22.2 trillion (approximately US$3.57 billion) through May 2026. This figure represents a 3% year-on-year contraction compared to the same period in 2025, confirming a cooling trend in the market. The decline contrasts sharply with the previous year, when the BVA closed 2025 with a robust 17% growth in traded volumes.

While the overall market shows a slowdown, a report from Cadiem Casa de Bolsa notes "signs of improvement" linked to the issuance of new securities by various sectors. In May 2026 alone, trading activity reached G. 4.5 trillion (about US$754 million), surpassing figures from March and April. However, May marked the third consecutive month of year-on-year decline in total trading volume, following drops of 11.7% in March and 17.7% in April.

Examining the market segments reveals a mixed performance. The primary market, which deals with new security offerings, accumulated G. 3.3 trillion between January and May. Despite the broader market's sluggishness, this segment saw an 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. May was particularly strong, with issued securities valued at G. 947.4 billion, a level 23% higher than the previous monthly record for 2026 and nearly triple the amount from January.

Conversely, the secondary market, where already-issued securities are traded, is the main source of weakness. This segment has experienced four consecutive months of year-on-year reduction. After an 11.4% increase in January, the secondary market saw a 2.7% decrease in February and a more significant 8.4% drop in May. The accumulated volume traded in the secondary market for the first five months of 2026 stood at G. 18.9 trillion.