Introduction

The Center for Financial Research (CIF according to its spanish acronym) is part of the Business School at the Torcuato Di Tella University. Its mission is to generate analysis in the field of applied finance and economics. With this purpose, it has developed a number of economic indicators such as the Consumer Confidence Index (ICC), the Inflation Expectation Survey (EI), the Labour Demand Index (IDL) and the Leading Indicator of economic activity (IL) that have become key references for monitoring the evolution of the Argentine economy. The CIF also organizes seminars and conferences related to current financial and economic issues in Argentina. Additionally, it contributes to finance academic conferences and studies, reflected in its Working Papers series. The CIF and its researchers also play an active role as consultants and advisors on financial and economic issues to both private sector firms, governments and international organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Since its inception in 1995, the CIF has produced analysis and ideas that have placed it as one of the most important centers for financial and economic research in Latin America.