“Improved Earnings Indicate Economic Recovery?” Posted on May 20, 2009May 20, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Observer: “Improved earnings indicate economic recovery?” These days one cannot turn on the television to a US news station without hearing reports of yet another company’s earnings “beating expectations”. Jamaica Observer: “The junior market – a stimulus for your business” The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Jamaica Stock Exchange are well advanced in their efforts to launch a Junior Market in Jamaica. The aim behind the creation of this Junior Market is to enable small- and medium- sized enterprises to raise capital from the public. Jamaica Observer: “FX winners” On the face of it, a rapidly deteriorating Jamaican dollar against its major counterpart – the US dollar – negatively impacts the economy and in a real way means higher costs to manufacturers, distributors and ultimately consumers. Jamaica Observer: “Krugman: US ‘depressed economy’ could last 5 years” SEOUL, South Korea The United States may emerge from recession as early as this summer, though further job losses mean a “depressed economy” could last as long as five years, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said yesterday.
Wehby: Six Guiding Objectives to Fiscal Sustainability Posted on May 13, 2009May 14, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Observer: “Wehby: Six guiding objectives to fiscal sustainability” Senator Don Wehby believes that should the Government and other economic stakeholders follow six fundamental guidelines of a comprehensive reform programme now being implemented, Jamaica will be able to attain fiscal sustainability in the foreseeable future. Jamaica Observer: “Economic data provides positive news on UK economy” LONDON, England – Economic data raised hopes yesterday that the worst of the recession could be over in Britain, showing a jump in retail sales, a strong rise in new homebuyer inquiries and a slowing rate of decline in manufacturing output.
Stocks on the JSE suffer their worst decline in 14 years Posted on May 8, 2009May 8, 2009 by Your Financial FactSheet Jamaica Observer: “Stocks on the JSE suffer their worst decline in 14 years” Stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) are suffering their worst decline in 14 years, a recovery is expected in 2010. Jamaica Observer: “IMF says Caribbean will recover quicker from the global crisis” The impact of the global recession on the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has been severe and wide-ranging, but the region is now better positioned to weather the current downturn and is expected to emerge from the financial crisis earlier than the advanced economies, according to the latest Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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.