New Regulation Rules: Their Impact on You Posted on June 17, 2009July 17, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet SmartMoney: New Regulation Rules: Their Impact on You President Obama’s sweeping proposal to overhaul the financial regulatory landscape is perhaps the most comprehensive and ambitious plan in 76 years — ever since FDR’s New Deal ushered in the Securities and Exchange Commission, among other institutions and rules. Jamaica Observer: Prices jump in May The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) on Monday reported that inflation during May, the second month for the 2009/2010 fiscal year, was 0.9 per cent. “The All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 140 represents an incrase of 0.9 per cent over he index for April 2009,” said Statin’s release. Jamaica Observer: Housing, A Building Block to Economic Recovery? Kingston today and Kingston just one year ago surprisingly look very different. Just last year, you couldn’t turn a corner without bumping into a new set of townhouses or an apartment complex under construction.
Foreign Investors Shun Caribbean Posted on May 6, 2009May 6, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Gleaner: “Foreign investors shun Caribbean” The United Nations warned on Monday that the slump in foreign investment in developing countries like those in the Caribbean last year was likely to continue for the next two years. Jamaica Observer: “Latest economic data suggests recession (U.S.) is easing” WASHINGTON, USA – Evidence that housing is poised to improve and optimism about the results of banking “stress tests” raised hopes Monday that the recession is easing in the United States and helped lift a key stock market measure into the black for the year.
Golding Must Repair Holes in Budget Posted on May 4, 2009May 4, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Gleaner: “Golding must repair holes in Budget” The moot being proposed by Government is that Jamaica should spend $555.7 billion this year, $18 billion of which will be raised from taxation. Audley Shaw was unconvincing when he opened the batting for the Government as he struggled to demonstrate a clear understanding of the country’s problem and, therefore, was unable to deliver credible macro-economic prescriptions. Dolan – Reuters: “Asia faces up to challenges of global crisis” NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) – The global downturn could lead to unrest, more poverty and environmental challenges in Asia, regional leaders were warned on Monday, after they agreed on a $120 billion emergency fund to counter the crisis.
Choices Facing the Jamaican Government to get the economy on track Posted on May 1, 2009May 4, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Observer: “Choices Facing the Jamaican Government to get the economy on track” One cannot stress enough the importance of avoiding a rating downgrade to CCC given the likely adverse consequences on the economy over a prolonged period. Having established that a credible budget is a first-order priority we concluded that Jamaica has no choice but to reduce expenditures. Jamaica Observer: “Tax As a Developmental Tool” The budget debate is currently underway, and as I write this the prime minister and Opposition leader have not yet made their contribution, and the minister of finance is to deliver his closing address. Jamaica Observer: “Fed sees signs recession may be easing” The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it sees signs the recession is easing and that the US economic outlook has “improved modestly” since last month. Against that backdrop, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues left a key interest rate at a record low of between zero and 0.25 per cent, and decided against taking any new steps to shore up the economy.