• The Banco Central de Chile (BCC) will lower its benchmark monetary policy rate to 0.75% by end-2020, from 1.00% currently, in an effort to limit the economic impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
• Despite rising inflation, the BCC will use loose monetary policy and several other measures over the coming quarters to attempt to stabilize financial markets.
• Risks to the interest rate forecast are weighted to the downside, as the economic impact of the coronavirus could be larger than is anticipated, which would likely prompt the BCC to loosen monetary policy further.

  (Source: Fitch)

• The coronavirus outbreak is likely to have severe economic and social consequences for International Development Association (IDA) countries, home to a quarter of the world’s population and two-thirds of the world’s population living in extreme poverty.
• With immediate effect—and consistent with national laws of the creditor countries—the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund call on all official bilateral creditors to suspend debt payments from IDA countries that request forbearance.
• This will help with IDA countries’ immediate liquidity needs to tackle challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak and allow time for an assessment of the crisis impact and financing needs for each country.
• The World Bank Group and the IMF believe it is imperative at this moment to provide a global sense of relief for developing countries as well as a strong signal to financial markets. The international community would welcome G20 support for this Call to Action.

(Source: The World Bank)

• Nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982 — amid a widespread economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus.
• The surge in weekly applications was a stunning reflection of the damage the viral outbreak is doing to the economy. Filings for unemployment aid generally reflect the pace of layoffs.
• The pace of layoffs is sure to accelerate as the U.S. economy sinks into a recession. Revenue has collapsed at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, gyms, and airlines. Auto sales are plummeting, and car makers have close factories. Most such employers face loan payments and other fixed costs, so they’re cutting jobs to save money.
• As job losses mount, some economists say the nation’s unemployment rate could approach 13% by May. By comparison, the highest jobless rate during the Great Recession, which ended in 2009, was 10%.

(Source: Associated Press News)

• PanJam Investment Limited reported audited net profits attributable to shareholders of $8.31Bn (EPS: $7.85) for the year ended December 31, 2019. This represents a 55.8% (or $2.97Bn) increase from the $5.33Bn made in the prior year.
• A 41.7% (or $1.36Bn) increase in revenues that overshadowed the 4.4% (or $73.96Mn) increase in total expenses drove this performance. Additionally, a $1.58Bn increase in gains on the disposal of shares in associate companies supported the improvement in the company’s bottom line.
• The stock price has fallen 21.9% since the start of the year, closing Tuesday’s trading session at $78.82. At this price, PanJam trades at a P/E of 10.0x, which is below the Main Market Conglomerate Sector Average of 12.4x.

(Source: PanJam’s Financials)

• For the year ended December 31, 2019, Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited reported audited net profit attributable to shareholders of $15.65Bn (EPS:$4.01), up by 10.0% relative to the $14.23Bn reported one year prior.
• This improvement was driven by a 31.2% (or 22.01Bn) in total revenues, which outstripped the 28.4% (or 7.47Bn) increase in expenses.
• The stock price has fallen 44.1% since the start of the year. Sagicor closed Tuesday’s trading session at $40.55 and is currently trading at a P/E of 10.1x, which is below the Main Market Financial Sector Average of 15.7x.

(Source: Sagicor’s Financials)

• Fitch has revised its 2020 real GDP growth forecast for Mexico to –2.8% y-o-y, from -0.2% previously, the worst annual growth performance in the country since 2009.
• This revision is driven by the view that the global economy will tip into recession, and the country’s relative lack of preparations for a domestic outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus).
• While it is expected that the country’s economy will begin to recover in H220, downside risks to this timeline are significant.

(Source: Fitch)

• It is expected that the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak will significantly stunt real GDP growth in Panama in the coming quarters as the government implements restrictions on mobility and commercial activity.
• Meanwhile, a drop in global growth will further limit Panamanian exports given the economy's reliance on the Panama Canal and other service sector exports.
• Fitch has significantly revised its 2020 Panama real GDP growth to 1.8% y-o-y, from 3.9% previously, as restricted domestic production and meagre global growth hinder economic activity. In 2019, growth was 3.4%.

(Source: Fitch)

• The Trump administration struck a deal with Senate Democrats and Republicans on an historic rescue package that tees up more than $2 trillion in spending and tax breaks to bolster the hobbled U.S. economy and fund a nationwide effort to stem the coronavirus.
• The legislation was still being drafted but McConnell said the Senate would vote on it Wednesday. It would still have to pass in the House before it gets to President Donald Trump’s desk. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had consulted with Schumer throughout his negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
• The plan includes about $500 billion that can be used to back loans and assistance to companies, including $50 billion for loans to U.S. airlines, as well as state and local governments. It also has more than $350 billion to aid small businesses. Then there is $150 billion for hospitals and other health-care providers for equipment and supplies.
• For individuals the package provides direct payments to lower- and middle-income Americans of $1,200 for each adult, as well as $500 for each child. Unemployment insurance would be extended to four months, the benefits would be bolstered by $600 weekly and eligibility would be expanded to cover more workers.

(Source: Bloomberg)

• Oil prices slipped into negative territory on Wednesday as faltering fuel demand from the spread of the coronavirus outweighed a massive pending U.S. economic stimulus package.
• Brent crude was down 92 cents, or 3.4%, at $26.24 per barrel after earlier rising to a high of $28.29. U.S. crude was down 34 cents, or 1.42%, at $23.67 after earlier hitting a high of $25.24 per barrel.
• U.S senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on the $2 trillion stimulus bill which is expected to be passed through the Congress later on Wednesday. Still, demand for oil products, especially jet fuel, is falling worldwide as more governments announce nationwide lockdowns, putting a lid on oil price gains.
• Refineries globally are responding to the fall in demand by reducing output, with plants in India the latest cut crude processing, while ports in the country could face delays to crude discharging amid new measures to curb the spread of the virus.
• India, the world’s second most populous country and the third largest oil consumer, has entered a 21-day government enforced lockdown.
• ING on Wednesday slashed its Brent crude price forecast for the second quarter to $20 a barrel from $33 due to the coronavirus outbreak and an expected supply surge from Saudi Arabia and Russia from April.

(Source: CNBC)

• The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today US$70 million in budget support financing to Jamaica to support the country’s reform program and efforts to strengthen and accelerate recent gains in fiscal consolidation and sustainable growth.
• The First Economic Resilience Development Policy Loan (ERDPL I) aims to help Jamaica advance its economic reform agenda, while at the same time protecting the poor and vulnerable, including from natural disaster risks.
• “Jamaica’s authorities have shown the commitment needed to maintain macroeconomic stability and demonstrated significant progress, including major reduction in public debt,” said Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Resident Representative for Jamaica. “These efforts will contribute to strengthening the country’s capacity to cope with the threats of natural disasters and public health crises.”

(Source: World Bank)