The Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) Business Report – July 10, 2025, provides a comprehensive overview of recent economic activity within Jamaica, with a particular focus on the Bank of Jamaica’s (BOJ) performance and the dynamic Forex market. The report reveals a complex interplay of assets and liabilities, coupled with detailed insights into the operations of Forex traders.
Bank of Jamaica’s Strong Performance
The Bank of Jamaica announced robust financial results for the first half of 2025. For the year-to-date period ending June 2025, the central bank reported a net profit of $20.5 billion. This positive performance was underpinned by the BOJ’s substantial asset base. Total assets reached $2 trillion, a significant increase from the $1.1 trillion recorded for the same period in the previous year. This growth demonstrates the bank’s continued stability and its capacity to manage Jamaica’s financial resources effectively.
Foreign Asset Surge Drives Growth
A key driver of the overall asset increase was a notable surge in the central bank’s foreign assets. As of June 25, foreign assets climbed to $945.7 billion, a substantial rise compared to the $820.9 billion recorded a year earlier. This increase highlights the influence of international financial markets on the Jamaican economy and the BOJ’s successful management of its foreign reserves.
Local Assets Experience a Downturn
While the BOJ saw considerable growth in foreign assets, its local assets experienced a decline. In June 2025, local assets stood at $241.3 billion, a decrease from the $269.7 billion recorded in June of the preceding year. This change could indicate a strategic shift in the BOJ’s investment portfolio, or it may reflect broader trends within the Jamaican financial landscape. Further analysis will be necessary to understand the long-term implications of this trend.
Forex Market Activity: A Snapshot
The PBCJ report also delved into the operations of the Forex market, offering a glimpse into the daily transactions and profit margins of currency traders. On July 9, 2025, Forex traders engaged in significant buying and selling activities. Traders purchased US $59.64 million and sold US $48.84 million. This data indicates a strong level of activity and liquidity within the market.
Forex Trading Profits Analyzed
The report also highlighted the profitability of Forex trading for specific currency pairs. Forex traders earned $2.7 per dollar when selling the US dollar at $161.6 and buying it at $158.99. These figures reflect the spread between buying and selling prices, which is a crucial element of the profit structure for traders. Additionally, the Canadian dollar transactions yielded profits of $8.32 per transaction for the Forex traders. Furthermore, the British pound provided traders with an $11 profit per transaction, emphasizing the varying opportunities and challenges inherent in currency trading.
Actively Traded Stocks
The report also featured an overview of the most actively traded stocks during the period. The stocks highlighted were Trans Jamaican Highway Limited, Sagor Select Funds Limited Financials, and NCB Financial Group Limited. This list serves as an indicator of investor interest and activity within the local stock market.
Conclusion
The PBCJ Business Report paints a detailed picture of the Jamaican financial landscape as of July 10, 2025. The Bank of Jamaica’s strong financial performance, coupled with the dynamic activity within the Forex market and the movements in the stock market, presents a nuanced view of the current economic climate. The report offers valuable insights for stakeholders, investors, and anyone interested in the financial health of Jamaica.