In January 2026, the industrial and construction sectors in Argentina began to show signs of stabilization after a challenging closure in 2025. According to data from INDEC, the Industrial Production Index (IPI) saw a 3.1% increase compared to December, although it experienced a 3.2% decline compared to January of the previous year. Key factors contributing to the negative trend over the previous year include significant drops in the production of agricultural machinery, automobiles, and textiles.

In terms of construction, the Synthetic Activity Indicator of Construction (ISAC) grew by 1.2% compared to the same month in 2025 and remained stable when compared to December. This growth in construction sector activity reflects some resilience amidst ongoing economic pressures. Notably, ten out of the sixteen divisions of the manufacturing industry experienced year-on-year declines; however, there was a positive performance against December in nine major sectors, indicating a mixed outlook for the industry.

The most significant improvement in January was seen in the automotive sector, with a notable increase of 7.9%. This was followed by gains in the furniture industry, oil refining, and textiles. These trends suggest that while the industrial sector is still under pressure from previous declines, there may be a cautious optimism as certain areas begin to recover.