July 30, 2018 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that, “The U.S. direct investment abroad position, or cumulative level of investment, increased $427.3 billion to $6,013.3 billion at the end of 2017 from $5,586 billion at the end of 2016.The increase mainly reflected a $243.6 billion increase in the position in Europe, primarily in
Date: July 26 ,2018 BOJ Modernisation As Jamaica aims to maintain fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability, recently appointed Minister of Finance and Public Services, Honourable Dr. Nigel Clarke, announced the implementation of Jamaica’s second pillar, the modernisation of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). He highlighted today that this particular decision of institutional reform stemmed from
Brent Oil Brent oil prices increased by 3.03% or US$2.19, as prices increased this week. Oil traded on July 26, 2018 at a price of $74.51 per barrel relative to US$72.32 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices decreased week over week, by 0.21% (JMD$0.28). Additionally,
July 26, 2018 The Bureau of Labour Statistics indicated that, “From September 2017 to December 2017, gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments were 7.8 million, an increase of 537,000 jobs gained over the quarter.” It was also noted that gross job losses from closing and contracting private sector establishments were 6.8 million,
July 25, 2018 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that, “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2018. Notably, Washington had the fastest growth in the first quarter with a percentage change in real GDP ranging from 3.6 percent to -0.6 percent
July 24, 2018 According to the latest report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, “In the first quarter of 2018, the seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio stood at 0.1% in the euro area (EA19), a decrease compared with 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.” However, in the
July 23, 2018 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that, “14 of 22 industry groups contributed to the overall 2 percent increase in real GDP in the first quarter. Real estate and rental and leasing, information and non-durable goods manufacturing were the leading contributors to the increase in U.S. economic growth in the first
Brent Oil Brent oil prices decreased by 2.82% or US$2.10, as prices fell this week. Oil traded on July 19, 2018 at a price of $72.32 per barrel relative to US$74.42 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices decreased week over week, by 0.49% (JMD$0.67). Additionally,
July 19, 2018 According to Eurostat, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector increased in the Euro Area by 0.3% and in EU28 by 1.2% as at June 2018 compared to May 2018. However, in April 2018, construction production reported growth of 1.4% in the Euro Area while EU28 grew by 0.8%. Annual comparison by
July 17, 2018 The median weekly earnings of 115.8 million full-time U.S. wage and salary workers were $876 after completion of the second quarter of 2018. Of the total, women had median weekly earnings of $780, 81.3% of the men’s $959 weekly median. Highlights from the second quarter data revealed the median weekly earnings were
