Date: October 10, 2019 Net International Reserves- September 2019 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,098.05 million as at September 2019, reflecting an increase of US$161.60 million relative to the US$2,936.45 million reported as at the end of August 2019 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from an increase in Foreign Assets of
October 9, 2019 The Bureau of Labour Statistics reported that, “the number of job openings was little changed at 7.1 million on the last business day of August.” In addition, for August, hires and separations changed to 5.8 million and 5.6 million, respectively. Regarding quits rate and layoffs and discharge rate, these were little changed
October 7, 2019 According to the latest report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, “house prices, as measured by the House Price Index, rose by 4.2% in both the euro area and the EU in the second quarter of 2019 compared with the same quarter of the previous year.” Additionally, the
October 4, 2019 Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 136,000 in September as the unemployment rate declined to 3.5% based on information collected by The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth occurred in health care and in professional and business services. Household Survey Data Unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 3.5% in
Date: October 03, 2019 For the period of April to August 2019, the GOJ reported Total Revenues & Grants of $250.63 billion, $4.69 billion more than the Government’s projection. Furthermore, year over year, this represents an increase of approximately 9% relative to the $229.97 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2018. ‘Tax Revenue’, ‘Non-Tax
October 3, 2019 According the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), “the Jamaican economy grew by 1.3% for the second quarter of 2019 when compared to the similar quarter of 2018.” This was attributable to growth in both the Goods Producing Industries of 0.6% and the Services Industries of 1.6%. The Goods Producing Industries growth was
Brent Oil Brent oil prices decreased by 8.64% or US$5.42, as prices decreased this week relative to the prior week. Oil traded on October 03, 2019 at a price of US$57.32 per barrel relative to US$62.74 on September 26, 2019. Brent oil began the year at US$54.91 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices decreased
October 10, 2019 Unemployment rates trended downward for the month of August in 224 of the 389 metropolitan states compared to a year earlier. According to Bureau Labor Statistics, this was “higher in 132 areas, and unchanged in 33 areas.” Jobless rates lower than 3% were recorded in 82 areas while 2 areas posted rates
September 30, 2019 Bank of Jamaica announces its decision to hold the policy interest rate (the rate offered on overnight balances at Bank of Jamaica) unchanged at 0.50 per cent per annum. The decision to hold the policy rate unchanged is based on the Bank’s current assessment that monetary conditions are generally appropriate to
September 30, 2019 Overview Jamaica has made material progress in achieving macroeconomic stability and strengthening of its external position, improving its ability to withstand external shocks. As a result, we are raising our long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Jamaica to 'B+' from 'B' and affirming our short-term foreign and local
