Economic Highlights
June 14, 2018 United States: Powell Lauds Economy as Fed Nudges Up Interest-Rate Hike Path Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment falls and inflation overshoots their target faster than previously projected. The so-called “dot plot” released Wednesday
June 13, 2018 According to a recent report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, the number of persons employed increased by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2017, employment increased by
June 13, 2018 United States: U.S. Inflation Accelerates to Six-Year High, Eroding Wages U.S. inflation accelerated in May to the fastest pace in more than six years, reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s outlook for gradual interest-rate hikes while eroding wage gains that remain relatively tepid despite an 18-year low in unemployment. The consumer price index rose
June 12 ,2018 United States: U.S. Small-Business Optimism Hits Second-Highest on Record A gauge of optimism among U.S. small-business owners rose to a 34-year high amid increasingly sunny expectations for sales and profits, a National Federation of Independent Business survey showed Tuesday. Small-business sentiment has remained elevated since Donald Trump was elected president in late
June 11, 2018 United States: Bond Traders Face $193 Billion Appetizer Before Fed Main Course Bond traders have their work cut out for them before they get to the pivotal event for U.S. financial markets this week -- Wednesday’s announcement from the Federal Reserve. The Treasury is about to pack $193 billion of debt sales
June 08, 2017 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,175.88 million as at May 2018, reflecting an increase of US$69.31 million relative to the US$3,106.57 million reported as at the end of April 2018 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from an increase in Foreign Assets of US$51.44 million to total US$3,734.10 million compared
June 8, 2018 United States: Hot U.S. Economic Growth Is Burning Companies That Can't Keep Up A strengthening economy has its downsides. Just ask United Natural Foods Inc. As suppliers struggle with bottlenecks, the food distribution company said it is having trouble keeping shelves stocked and paying higher transportation costs. “Higher demand is pressuring our
June 07, 2018 Scotia Group Jamaica Limited(SGJ) for the six months ended reported Net Interest Income declined by 3% to $12.82 billion, moving from $13.16 billion for the corresponding period in 2017, while Interest Expenses declined by 26% to total $1.64 billion (2017:$2.23 billion). Net Interest Income for the period decreased from $6.54 billion in 2017
Brent Oil Brent oil prices decreased by 1.63 % or US$1.27, as prices fell this week. Oil traded on June 7, 2018 at a price of $76.45 per barrel relative to US$77.72 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices decreased week over week, by 0.47% (JMD$0.62).
June 7, 2018 According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, GDP rose by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 during the first quarter of 2018, compared with the previous quarter. Similarly, in the fourth quarter of 2017, GDP had grown by 0.7% in both zones. However, when compared
