February 08,2018 Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) totaled US$3,203.69 million as at January 2018, reflecting a decrease of US$4.93 million relative to the US$3,208.29 million reported as at the end of December 2017 (see figure 1). Changes in the NIR resulted from an increase in Foreign Assets of US$8.34 million to total US$3,789.51 million compared to
February 7, 2018 Job Openings The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the number of job openings was at 5.8 million on the last business day of December. The job openings fell 2.% in December 2017 when compared to November 2017. The number of job openings changed marginally for total private and for government.
February 6, 2018 US international trade deficit has expanded for the month of December of last year when compare to November 2017. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the U.S. goods and services deficit was $53.1 billion in December, up $2.7 billion from $50.4 billion in November. Exports
February 05, 2018 Bank of Jamaica is aware of reports of investments in virtual currencies and the use of these types of instruments for the settlement of economic transactions. In light of these reports, the Bank is advising the public to exercise caution in the use of virtual currencies (cryptocurrencies) given the associated risks and
February 5, 2018 The index of the volume of retail trade, one of the many matrices used to check the impulse of consumer purchase, has declined in December 2017 compared with November 2017, as reported by Eurostat. The index measures the evolution of the turnover in retail trade. The statistical office of the European Union
February 2, 2018 U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today (2nd February 2018) that employment numbers for nonfarm payroll increased by 200,000 in January. However, unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.1%. Employment continued to trend up in construction, food services and drinking places, health care, and manufacturing. Construction added 36,000 or 18% of the 200,000
February 01, 2018. For the period of April 2017 to December 2017, the GOJ reported Total Revenues & Grants of $392.16 billion, $15.72 billion more than the government’s projection. Furthermore, year over year, this represents an increase of approximately 11.4% relative to the $352.04 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2016. ‘Tax Revenue’, ‘Non-Tax
February 1, 2018 Brent Oil Brent oil prices fell by 2.57% or US$1.82, as prices decreased this week. Oil traded on February 1, 2018 at a price of $69.13 per barrel relative to US$70.95 last week. Brent oil began the year at US$68.07 per barrel. Petrojam prices 87 Octane prices increased week over week, by
February 1, 2018 The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm business sector labor productivity ( or output per hour) decreased 0.1% for the fourth quarter of 2017; this as the number of hours worked and the level of output increased 3.3% and 3.2% respectively. Productivity was up 1.1% for the 12-month ending fourth
January 31, 2018 Civilian Workers The U.S. Bureau of labour Statistics reported that compensation cost for civilian workers increased 0.6% for the 3-month period ending in December 2017. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.5%, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased
