Economic Highlights
Date: July 9, 2018 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,135.49 million as at June 2018, reflecting a decrease of US$40.39 million relative to the US$3,175.88 million reported as at the end of May 2018 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from a decrease in Foreign Assets of US$46.70 million to total US$3,687.40 million
Date: July 9, 2018 United States: Here's How a Trade War Between the U.S. and China Could Get Ugly The first shot of the U.S.-China trade war went off without much of a reaction from investors. The calm may be short lived. For months, financial markets have been bracing for President Donald Trump to follow
July 06, 2018 Goods and Services Trade Deficit The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that, “The goods and services deficit was $43.1 billion in May, down $3.0 billion from $46.1 billion in April.” May exports ($215.3 billion) exceeded exports in April by $4.1 billion, whereas $258.4 billion was recorded for imports in May which
Date: July 6, 2018 United States: Trade War ‘Would Be Horrible’ for the U.S. Economy, Arthur Laffer Says Arthur Laffer, a former economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan and to Donald Trump’s campaign, said the threat of a global trade was hanging over the U.S. economy and could undo the pro-growth policies that Trump has championed.
Brent Oil Brent oil prices increased by 0.84% or US$0.65, as prices rose this week. Oil traded on July 5, 2018 at a price of $78.06 per barrel relative to US$77.41 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased week over week, by 1.09% (JMD$1.45). Additionally
July 05, 2018 EU28 current account surplus €63.9 bn and €47.5 bn surplus for trade in services According to the latest report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, “The EU28 seasonally adjusted current account of the balance of payments recorded a surplus of €63.9 billion (1.6% of GDP) in the first
Date: July 5, 2018 United Sates: U.S. Stock Futures Follow Europe Jump; Euro Rises: Markets Wrap U.S. equity futures rallied alongside European peers, while Asian shares dropped to a nine-month low as traders prepare for the implementation of fresh trade restrictions between America and China. The euro advanced on the prospect of earlier-than-anticipated monetary tightening. Futures
July 04, 2018 Volume of retail trade unchanged in euro area and up by 0.3% in EU28 According to the latest report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, “In May 2018 compared with April 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade did not change in the euro area (EA19) and
Date: June 4, 2018 Government Operations Results for May 2018 For the period of April 2018 to May 2018, the GOJ reported Total Revenues & Grants of $84.59 billion, $472.7 million more than the Government’s projection. Furthermore, year over year, this represents an increase of approximately 11% relative to the $76.18 billion recorded for the
Date: July 4, 2018 United States: Trade War ‘Would Be Horrible’ for the U.S. Economy, Arthur Laffer Says Arthur Laffer, a former economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan and to Donald Trump’s campaign, said the threat of a global trade was hanging over the U.S. economy and could undo the pro-growth policies that Trump has championed.
