Remittance inflows into Jamaica slipped by a mere half of one percent to US$294.2 million in April this year, down by just US$2.3 million from April 2025, but remain at record levels for the year to date.
Remittance inflows for January to April 2026 continued the positive monthly trend since November last year. Flows to Jamaica amounted to a record US$1.1536 billion, 3.2 percent over the corresponding period in 2025, with earnings of US$1,118 billion.
The United States of America continues to be the primary source market, accounting for 68.8 per cent of total remittance inflows, with the United Kingdom contributing 11.1 percent, Canada 8.5 percent, and the Cayman Islands 6.4 percent.
In 2025 total inflows to the country rose by 3.84 percent to US$3.486 sit just under the record haul of US$3.497 billion in 2021. This year’s increase is lower than the 5.7 percent rise for January last year, 5.6 percent in May, 14.3 percent in November and 12.1 percent in December of 2025.
Bank of Jamaica announced that, effective 24 February 2026, the rate offered on overnight balances on the current accounts of deposit-taking institutions, the policy rate, will be reduced by 25 basis points from 5.75 percent per annum to 5.50 per cent per annum. 
This earlier-than-previously-anticipated return to target reflects a moderation of the Bank’s forecast for later (or second-round) price increases. In addition, private sector expectations of future inflation (inflation expectations), a key driver of headline inflation, are forecast to fall to normal levels over the near term. The current account of Jamaica’s balance of payments is, however, projected to record higher deficits over the near term as the economy rebuilds from the Hurricane Melissa fallout, but the international reserves remain healthy and are projected to improve further. The forecast also considers the direct impact of the recently announced tax package.
The decline in 2026 continues momentum from 2023, which accelerated into 2025, when Jamaica recorded under 673 total murders for the year, a 42 percent drop from 2024 and the lowest count in decades. For years, Jamaica exceeded 1,000 annual murders, and as high as 1,683 in 2009 and 1,647 as far back as 2017. The reduction in crime since 2023 makes this transformation historic, with a positive impact on the wider economy.
2026 Forecast: At the current trend, Jamaica is on track to record around 300 murders for the year, potentially the lowest since 1975 when murders ended at 266.
November’s 2.4 percent monthly rise was the highest since September 2013, with 2.8 percent and matched the August 2024 increase following Hurricane Beryl. Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28, severely disrupted agricultural production and infrastructure. Food prices surged 6.0 percent in November, with vegetables, tubers, and plantains jumping 19.1 percent, while fruits and nuts increased 8.8 percent. Inflation in this category, in December climbed at a much slower pace of 2.1 percent, with vegetables, tubers, and plantains jumping 4.5 percent, while fruits and nuts increased 5.6 percent.
Listed companies, many of which pride themselves on good corporate policies, should do better in speaking to investors. Ms. James has been added to the list of directors of Caribbean Assurance Brokers, effective October 1.
ICInsider.com projects turnout around 50 percent, with 46 percent the most likely outcome. In 2016, some 289,000 or 16 percent of the 1,824,412 registered voters cast their votes by 11:30 am and at 3 PM, 728,670 votes were polled, accounting for 39.94 percent of the votes cast, with a final tally of 882,389 for a 48.4 percent outcome.
A total of 73,498 shares were traded for US$5,221 compared to 296,100 units at US$34,738 on Tuesday.
Proven Investments ended at 15.5 US cents closed with an exchange of 1,372 shares. Sterling Investments advanced 0.26 of a cent in closing at 1.96 US cents in an exchange of 50,816 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments declined 0.12 of a cent to close at 8.56 US cents with investors transferring 162 shares and Transjamaican Highway remained at 1.65 US cents after exchanging 17,297 units.