Local News
CBTT Considers Pulling Five-Cent Coin
The Central Bank of T&T (CBTT) has addressed speculation regarding the future of the five-cent coin, clarifying that while the denomination’s days may be numbered, no official decision has been made to pull it from circulation just yet.
T&T, India Converting Cultural Links Into Commercial Possibilities
As the global economic map is being redrawn, for the first time in generations the compass is pointing decisively toward New Delhi, Dr Vaalmikki Arjoon, the first president of the T&T-India Business Federation (TTIBF), observed, describing India’s evolution from a cultural touchstone into what he called “a US$4.6 trillion juggernaut.”
Seabridge Crisis Exposed
Long before her doors officially open at 7:30 am, Marsha Peters (not her real name) is already standing in the centre aisle of her small minimart in Carnbee. Staring at a half-empty shelf that once held pantry staples now serves only as a visual reminder of a broken supply chain.
Picked For US Summit During Meeting With State Secretary
United States President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar to a leaders summit in Florida, USA, on March 7. The Prime Minister disclosed this to the media yesterday following her oneon- one meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in St Kitts and Nevis.
PM Confirms Attendance At Caricom Summit In St Kitts
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that she will travel to Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, on Monday evening to attend the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caribbean Community (Caricom)—marking her first face-to-face engagement with regional leaders since assuming office for a second term.
French Ambassador Seeks To Deepen Economic Cooperation With T&T
France’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Guillaume Pierre, has outlined an ambitious agenda to expand French investment in this country, with energy, infrastructure, logistics, and advanced technology at the centre of the bilateral relationship.
Hopeful On Working With Guyana, Suriname
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said yesterday he has engaged in several meetings with global energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron at the Guyana Energy Conference.
All Gas Agreements With T&T Should Be Renegotiated
If T&T does negotiate new energy contracts with Venezuela, both countries would have to get rid of the previous contracts that were signed and negotiate new ones that would benefit Venezuela and not only T&T.
AMCHAM Congratulates Govt: Positive Step For Economy
The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) expects Trinidad and Tobago’s removal from the European Union’s blacklist to have many benefits and yesterday congratulated the Government on this development.
Regional News
Berger Paints’ Barbados Plant Closure Reignites Trade Rules Debate
Berger Paints Barbados’ decision to close its factory has triggered renewed concern about the future of manufacturing on the island and whether the Caribbean’s regional trade framework is working as intended.
Holness Announces Formal Establishment Of Ministry Of Defence
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced the formal establishment of a Ministry of Defence to boost Jamaica’s disaster response and ensure the Jamaica Defence Force ( JDF) has “stronger coordination at the highest level”.
Barbados Unveils Bds$3.9 Billion Budget
The Barbados government on Tuesday laid its 2026–2027 budget in Parliament, outlining projected revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year and revised fiscal estimates for 2025–2026 ahead of debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, set to begin on March 2.
Public-Private Partnerships Seen As Critical To Sustaining Guyana’s Economic Growth
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly being viewed as a central pillar in Guyana’s economic transformation, with government and private sector leaders pointing to collaboration as essential for sustaining growth and expanding opportunities across multiple industries.
ExxonMobil Eyes Approval For Second Offshore Gas Project As Guyana Expands Energy Ambitions
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is preparing to seek environmental approval for a second offshore natural gas project, a move that could significantly broaden Guyana’s energy sector and lay the groundwork for major industrial development, particularly in Berbice.
Small States Can Meet Highest Standards
The St Lucia government yesterday said it had reaffirmed the country’s full compliance with the European Union (EU) tax good-governance standards, underscoring a reform process that has strengthened transparency, modernised the tax framework, and reinforced St Lucia’s standing as a responsible and cooperative international financial jurisdiction.
Guyana Eyes Plans For Two Regional Airports
The Guyana government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the design, construction, and financing of two new municipal airports that it says forms part of the drive to modernise the country’s aviation infrastructure and boost regional connectivity.
Toll Suspension Costs TJH US$3.5M But Revenue And Profit Still Top Forecast
TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH) reported lost revenues of an estimated US$3.5 million after the Government temporarily lifted toll barriers ahead of Hurricane Melissa in October, according to its recently released unaudited financial statements, but the disruption was not enough to knock the highway operator off course.
Agostini Gets Green Light For Massy Ja Acquisition
Trinidad-based Agostini Limited is set to close its acquisition of Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited within days after securing a non-objection from the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), clearing a regulatory hurdle that had stalled the deal over insulin market concentration concerns.
International News
China’s Baidu Revenue Falls 4% As AI Cloud Growth Fails To Offset Ad Weakness
China’s largest search engine operator Baidu reported 4% revenue drop for its December quarter on Thursday, as the hit from persistent weakness in its mainstay advertising business, which was cushioned by strong growth in its cloud business.
Nvidia Investors Give Lukewarm Reaction To Upbeat Forecast
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA), the dominant maker of artificial intelligence processors, failed to impress investors with its latest sales forecast, signaling that concerns about an overheated AI economy will continue to dog the company.
Gold Steadies As Traders Eye US Tariffs And Iran Nuclear Talks
Gold (GC=F) steadied, as traders weighed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the impact of US tariffs on global trade. Bullion traded near $5,180 an ounce, having gained nearly 6% over the last six sessions, as a buildup of US troops in the Middle East kept global markets on edge.
Stocks Stall As Nvidia Fails To Stoke AI Trade
A rally in stocks is stalling after Nvidia Corp.’s earnings beat failed to ignite further gains in technology shares and investors took big bets off the table as high-stakes nuclear talks between US and Iran got underway.
Walmart Delivers Another Quarter Of Impressive Sales But Offers A Muted Outlook
Walmart delivered another standout quarter as the promise of lower prices drew in a broader spectrum of Americans during the critical holiday shopping period, including wealthier households.
Deere Lifts Full-Year Profit Forecast On Construction, Sales Recovery; Shares Up
Farm-machinery maker Deere & Co raised its annual profit forecast on Thursday citing a rebound in its construction and small agriculture businesses and cost cuts that mitigated weak equipment demand, sending its shares up 4.7% before the bell.
Oil Extends Biggest Jump Since October On Iran Conflict Concerns
Oil extended its biggest daily gain since October, on concerns that the US and Iran are inching closer to a fresh conflict.
Stocks Retreat As Brent Pushes Further Above $70
A rebound in US stocks faded as concerns about a possible conflict between the US and Iran sapped risk sentiment. Oil extended a rally.
Uber To Invest Over $100 Million In Autonomous Vehicle Charging Amid Robotaxi Push
Uber Technologies said on Wednesday it would invest more than $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs, underscoring the ride-hailing company’s latest push to scale up self-driving operations.
Reports
US Rate Watch JAN 2026
On Jan 28, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. This decision was in line with expectations and was supported by steady growth, signs of stabilization in the unemployment rate, and persistent inflation.
Local Equity Report Jan2026
Domestically, real GDP grew by 3.1% in Q2 2025, following a 7.6% contraction in Q1, as higher energy production partially offset sluggish non energy sector activity. Inflation remained low, 0.5% in November, but was up from 0.4% in October. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.3% year-on-year in October, and consumer lending moderated to 8.0%. Labour market conditions improved, with unemployment falling to 3.8% in June 2025.
November 2025-Economic Outlook
November 2025-Earnings Update
Economic Outlook – OCT2025
Global GDP growth has improved relative to earlier forecasts, reflecting the gradual easing of trade tensions and resilience.
Earnings Update – OCT2025
During October, Guardian Holdings Limited boasted of a 114% lift in after tax profit, owing to the gain on sale of its stake in Thoma Exploitatie B.V. Excluding this, however, underlying profit grew by 7%, or 43 million thanks to a 34% rise in insurance service results.
US Rate Watch OCT 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00 % from 4.00% – 4.25%. This decision was supported by a moderation in economic activity, a softer labor market, and elevated inflation.
Economic Outlook – September 30th 2025
Earnings Update – September 30th, 2025
