Trading volumes declined sharply in the Jamaica foreign currency market on Friday, but the average trading rate against the US dollar fell, with inflows of US$38.7 million of all currencies and sale of US$33.34 million.
On Thursday, the market closed with the equivalent of US$27.57 million bought by dealers of all currencies, while they sold US$34.96 million.
The amounts of foreign currencies traded by dealers during the past week fell from the prior week. Dealers bought US$191 million in all currencies, down from US$239 million bought in the previous week. Dealers sold US$210 million, compared to US$240 million in the prior week. Actual US dollar purchases by dealers amounted to US$166 million down from US$211 million in the prior week and they sold US$184 million compared to US$222 million previously.
The Jamaica dollar gained modestly in value against the US dollar, at the close of foreign currency trading, with dealers selling US$30.55 million for 19 cents less than on Thursday with the US dollar selling rate closing at J$125.19, compared to J$125.37 in the sale of US$31.29 million at the close, on Thursday. 
Purchases of the US currency by dealers, amounted to US$35.32 million, with the average rate rising 35 cents to $124, compared to US$23.18 million, with the average rate of $123.65 on Thursday.
At mid-day on Friday dealers purchased US$12.59 million at an average rate of J$124.63 and sold $11.54 million at an average of J$125.15. At mid-day on the previous trading day, dealers purchased US$7.34 million at an average rate of J$124 and sold $9.8 million at an average of J$125.37.
The Jamaican dollar closed trading, with the selling rate for the Canadian dollar, inched lower to J$99.06 from J$99.57 at the close on Thursday. The selling rate for the British Pound declined to J$175.94 from J$178.11 previously and the euro declined versus the Jamaican dollar to J$156.23 to buy the European common currency, versus the prior selling rate of J$156.55.
Forex trading picks on Friday
April 20, 2018 by
