May 14, 2018 Net International Reserves- April 2018 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,106.57 million as at April 2018, reflecting an increase of US$32.00 million relative to the US$3,074.57 million reported as at the end of March 2018 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from an increase in Foreign Assets of US$25.75 million
May 9, 2018 While the number of job openings increased to 6.6 million for March 2018, hires, separations and quits (which is a portion of separation) all recorded little change. In other words, the change that occurred in these items were statistically insignificant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a most recent report,
May 4, 2018 Job gains in professional and business services, manufacturing, health care, and mining was sufficient to force the unemployment rate down to 3.9 percent in April 2018, following 6 months at 4.1 percent. For the month total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 164,000. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for adult
May 3, 2018 Business Confidence Index According to the Survey of Business Confidence index dipped to 136.5 points for the first quarter 2018, 2.05 points below 2017 average of 138.6 points. As stated by the report, this dip the Business Confidence index was too small to consider it an “established change in business sentiment” and
Brent Oil Brent oil prices decreased by 2.68 % or US$2, as prices fell this week. Oil traded on May 3, 2018 at a price of $72.69 per barrel relative to US$74.69 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased week over week, by 1.04% (JMD$1.32).
May 3, 2018 Labor productivity, or output per hour, for nonfarm business sector increased 0.7 percent during the first quarter of 2018, reflecting an increase of 2.8 percent in output while hours worked increased 2.1 percent. On an annual basis, from the first quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018, productivity increased 1.3
May 1, 2018 According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), unemployment rate continued on a downward trajectory for January 2018 due to decline in the labour force along with a simultaneous increase in employment. In January 2018, unemployment rate was 9.6% a decrease of 3.1% when compared with 12.7% in January 2017, the latest
May 01,2018 For the period of April 2017 to March 2018, the GOJ reported Total Revenues & Grants of $560.84 billion, $7.27 billion more than the Government’s projection. Furthermore, year over year, this represents an increase of approximately 12.2% relative to the $499.88 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2017. ‘Tax Revenue’ and ‘Capital
April 30, 2018 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the 3-month period ended March 2018, compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.8 percent. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.9 percent, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased 0.7 percent. Civilian
Brent Oil Brent oil prices increased by 0.48 % or US$0.36, as prices rose this week. Oil traded on April 26, 2018 at a price of $74.69 per barrel relative to US$74.33 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased week over week, by 1.19% (JMD$1.49).
