Date: February 25, 2019 The euro area (EA19) and the EU 28 reported a decrease in the Seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector by 0.4% and by 0.9% respectively during December 2018 compared with November 2018. In addition, According to Eurostat, “In November 2018, production in construction grew by 0.3% in the euro area
Date: February 25, 2019 In January 2019, The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.4% , down from 1.5% in December. Compared to the previous year, the rate was 1.3%. Additionally, the European Union annual inflation was reported at 1.5% in January 2019, down from 1.6% in December. Compared to the previous year, the rate
Date: February 22, 2019 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their 2018 estimates surrounding occupational requirements in the United States. This survey consists of data across three samples over a three year period. The total sample included approximately 25,300 establishments and estimates represent about 140,800,000 civilian workers. Education, training, and experience requirements For 2018,
Date: February 21, 2019 The leading contributors to the increase in U.S. economic growth in the third quarter of 2018 were Wholesale trade; information; and finance and insurance. According to The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), “19 of 22 industry groups contributed to the overall 3.4 percent increase in real GDP in the third
Date: February 21, 2019 The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) held its Quarterly Monetary Policy Press Conference today, where the Governor, Mr. Brian Wynter, commented on the Bank’s decision to lower the policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.50%. According to the Governor, “this policy decision reflects the Bank’s assessment that inflation will again
Brent Oil Brent oil prices increased by 4.23% or US$2.72, as prices increased this week relative to the prior week. Oil traded on February 21, 2019 at a price of US$67.06 per barrel relative to US$64.34 on February 21, 2019. Brent oil began the year at US$54.91 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased
February 21, 2019 The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Quarterly Press Briefing for October-December 2018. Mr. Wayne Henry, Director General for PIOJ, started the press briefing by providing the main highlights of the macroeconomic performance for the October-December 2018 quarter. The following were noted: Overview of Real Industry Developments For October-December 2018, real GDP
February 20, 2019 Bank of Jamaica announces its decision to lower the policy interest rate (the rate offered on overnight placements with Bank of Jamaica) by 25 basis points to 1.50 per cent. This decision reflects Bank of Jamaica’s forecast that inflation, which is currently below the target of 4.0 per cent to 6.0 per cent,
February 20, 2019 Bank of Jamaica will reduce the cash reserve requirement by three percentage points to nine per cent effective 01 March 2019. The cash reserve requirement is the amount of money that deposit‐taking institutions are required to hold at Bank of Jamaica against prescribed liabilities. This is the first in a series of reductions that will
Date: February 20, 2019 Salada Foods Jamaica Limited held its 54th Annual General Meeting today, which was hosted by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Patrick Williams. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, highlighted that the financial year 2017/18 was Salada’s best performance in its 60-year history. Mr. Williams stated that, “not only did Salada surpass the
