Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Businesses and consumers are joined in their desire for government to tackle key issues, given the impact of the pandemic, pollster Don Anderson has revealed through the latest findings of the Survey of Business and Consumer Confidence.

According to the data, the top concerns for consumers in order of priority were: reducing unemployment; focusing on the country’s health and wellbeing; opening up the economy further [to spur investments]; continuing to control the spread of COVID-19 and improving the education and school system.

“People are looking for jobs still, and it [the data] is showing that consumers believe that this is the number one factor that should be dealt with,” said Don Anderson, CEO of Market Research Services Limited.

The findings of the quarterly review by the Jamaica Conference Board Survey of Business and Consumer Confidence were presented by Anderson on behalf of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 25.

For businesses, getting the economy back on track; reducing unemployment; reducing governmental red tape; improving the education system and crime were the hot-button areas.

Of note for the pollster is that businesses and consumers are thinking along the same line “that obviously if we reduce unemployment then more persons will have disposable income to be able to buy to the products that are being generated by businesses.”

Pointing to the age-old concern of governmental red tape and bureaucracy, Anderson said the business community feels that government must now handle this matter frontally “once and for all.” “Businesses are saying that it is time we take a good look at the red tape and make a conscious effort to reduce it. Talk has been made time and time again about reducing government red tape … this is still on the table as the number three thing businesses feel should be done to help them move forward,” Anderson said.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The Sagicor Select Funds–Financial led double-digit gains during Monday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) but it still trades closer to one-year lows than highs.

The stock gained 20 per cent and closed at $0.49, having traded at a range of $0.36 to $0.52 over 52 weeks.

The movement of the stock reflects the continued decline in the main market affected by higher interest rates.

Also on the day, Sygnus Real Estate gained 15 per cent to close at $10.58 or the midway point between its 52-week range of $9.00 and $18.95.

The top declining stocks were tTech down 18 per cent to $2.70 close to its 52-week low of $2.50 and far from its high of $4.79 in the year.

The JSE Index declined by 557.85 points (0.16 per cent) to close at 347,650.98 points and the volume traded amounted to 42,372,789 valued at $70,469,791.06. The Junior Market Index declined by 98.29 points (2.37 per cent) to close at 4,051.71 points and the volume traded amounted to 25,484,902 valued at $87,225,378.16.

The JSE Combined Index declined by 1,412.66 points (0.39 per cent) to close at 361,488.69 points and the volume traded amounted to 67,857,691 valued at $157,695,169.22. The JSE USD Equities Index advanced by 4.03 points (1.95 per cent) to close at 211.09 points and the volume traded amounted to 467,538 valued at $25,574.45.

The JSE Cross Listed Index advanced by 0.26 points (0.46 per cent) to close at 56.84 points and the volume traded amounted to 415 valued at $92,297.49. The JSE Financial Index declined by 0.55 points (0.66 per cent) to close at 83.08 points and the volume traded amounted to 11,593,942 valued at $59,209,473.51.

Meanwhile, the JSE Manufacturing & Distribution Index declined by 0.51 points (0.52 per cent) to close at 97.10 points and the volume traded amounted to 13,065,838 valued at $60,455,378.66.

Overall market activity resulted from trading in 113 stocks of which 43 advanced, 51 declined and 19 traded firm.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Moderator Peter Wickham will no longer be a part of the Down to BrassTacks radio programme on Starcom Network.

Shortly you will all know the place where I am going. Stay tuned

Sharing the news on his social media today, October 31, Wickham, wrote, “I have just been advised by the management of Star Com that my services as a moderator have been terminated (unilaterally), so that’s it for me and Brasstacks”.

He also added the hashtag ‘#Bigotrywins’.

And after consideration of the decision, he added, “As I reflect on Star Com’s decision to discontinue their association with me, I’ve been advised to take comfort in the words of John 14:3 “In My Father’s house are many rooms… I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

“Shortly you will all know the place where I am going. Stay tuned”

Not only known for his political analytics and as the Director of the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), Wickham’s voice and his take on various issues attracted many listeners and callers to the programme. He always came to the audience prepared to deliver well and many a time “do battle” going tick for tack with some callers whether on home soil or abroad.

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