United States: Warning Signs Flash for HSBC, Merrill in Emerging Market Rally The backlash to the world’s most-popular trade is underway -- the emerging market rally has now gone too far, according to HSBC Holdings Plc and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. A combination of potentially hawkish Federal Reserve surprises and already stretched performance has
Date: February 18, 2019 Consumer Price Index – January 2019 The consumer price index for the month of January 2019 recorded a negative inflation rate of 0.2%, following the 0.1% decline in its index for December 2018, according to The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). The Consumer Price Index for the month of January fell
United States: Trump Adds to Carmakers’ Woes as Markets Across Planet Fizzle The tariffs that President Donald Trump may impose on vehicles imported to the U.S. would be just the latest kick in the teeth for carmakers battling cooling markets across the planet. Findings of an investigation into whether imported cars could pose a national
United States: Xi Hails Important Progress, Says Trade Talks to Resume in U.S. President Xi Jinping said U.S.-China trade talks would continue next week in Washington, as the two sides race to reach a deal that would avert a tariff increase on Chinese goods after March 1. “Negotiations between both sides have achieved important progress
Date: February 14, 2019 Palace Amusement Company (PAL) reported six months total revenues of $520.09 million, a 5% increase when compared with the $492.99 million recorded for corresponding period in 2017. Total revenue for the quarter increased 8% to total $250.71 million relative to the $233.03 million recorded for same period in 2017. Direct Expenses
Brent Oil Brent oil prices increased by 3.46% or US$2.15, as prices increased this week relative to the prior week. Oil traded on February 14, 2019 at a price of US$64.34 per barrel relative to US$55 on February 14th, 2019. Brent oil began the year at US$54.91 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased
United States: Krugman Sees Possible U.S. Recession With Little Fed Wiggle Room Nobel laureate Paul Krugman said the U.S. economy may be heading into a recession at a time when the Federal Reserve doesn’t have the firepower to properly combat a slump. “There seems to be an accumulation of smaller problems and the underlying backdrop
Date: February 8, 2019 Net International Reserves- January 2019 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,030.94 million as at January 2019, reflecting an increase of US$25.53 million relative to the US$3,005.41 million reported as at the end of December 2018 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from an increase in Foreign Assets of US$29.29
United States: Trump Says He Won’t Meet Xi Jinping Before Tariff Deadline President Donald Trump said he won’t meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before a March 1 deadline to avert higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, intensifying fears the two won’t strike a deal before the end of a 90-day truce. Trump responded “No” and
United States: U.S. Jobless Claims Fall Less Than Expected After Shutdown Ends Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell by less than expected last week, signaling it may take longer for the labor market to return to its previous trend following the partial government shutdown. Jobless claims declined to 234,000 in the week ended Feb. 2,
