NIR: Reality or mirage?; U.S. FED rate remains near zero Posted on March 18, 2009March 19, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Gleaner: “NIR: Reality or mirage? – Economy bears heavy burden for BOJ’s reserve” In the previous instalment of this series of articles, we pointed to the seeming attempt, early in the decade by the central bank, at obfuscation over its use of CDs in the market and the impact of these instruments on the BOJ’s balance sheet. However, since 2004, the auditors have labelled the Bank’s CDs as open market liabilities. CNNMoney.com: “FED maintains near zero interest rate policy” Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January indicates that the economy continues to contract. Job losses, declining equity and housing wealth, and tight credit conditions have weighed on consumer sentiment and spending. Jamaica Observer: :”Statin reports 0.8% inflation for Feb despite major price hikes in Jan” The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reported 0.8 per cent headline inflation for the month of February, reflecting only 0.1-1.1 per cent movement in food and other grocery items despite distributors increaseing prices by six to 20 per cent during the month of January.