On the RGSM, the Government of Antigua's EC$7M Treasury Bill issue was oversubscribed by EC$1.74M. The auction closed at a discount rate of 5%. Also, the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank floated a 2-year, 6% fixed rate bond, underwritten by CMMB. The issue was fully subscribed.

Over 178,000 units traded on the ECSM this week, with TDC leading market activity. 150,000 shares of that company traded at a low of $2.10 and a high of $2.15. The EC-Share Index closed at 147.69.

In other news, CMMB invites registrations from interested persons for our Market Outlook Seminar, which will be held on Tuesday 9th February at the NIC Conference Centre from 9 to 11 a.m.

TRINIDAD

On the TTSE, the Composite and All T&T Indexes advanced, with the Cross Listed Index declined. Overall market activity resulted from the trading in 22 stocks, of which 7 advanced, 3 declined while 12 traded firm. Market volume amounted close to 3 million units valued at over TT$7M. Supreme Ventures Limited was the volume leader with 81.79% of trading activity.
In other news, the Republic Bank Group has posted an after-tax profit of TT$236M for the first quarter, ended December 31st 2009, a 14.7% decline from the same period last year.

JAMAICA

On the Jamaican Market, Berger Paints Limited was the volume leader, with 740,000 of its shares trading. NCB Jamaica and Scotia Group Jamaica followed. The advance:decline ratio was 14:11. Berger Paints also led the advancers, gaining 20% to close at $1.70, while Montego Freeport suffered a 24% price drop, leading the decliners.

BARBADOS

On the Regular Market of the BSE, over 116,000 shares traded. Trading was led by First Caribbean International Bank, with 42% of activity, followed by Fortress Caribbean Property Fund and Cable & Wireless Barbados Limited. Both the Local and Composite Indexes advanced while the Cross-listed Index was unchanged.

INTERNATIONAL

On Wall Street, U.S. Stocks fell, dragging the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to a three-month low, as disappointing results at technology companies offset government data showing the U.S. economy grew at the fastest pace in six years. The S&P 500 capped its biggest monthly loss since last February.

In other news, the euro recorded its biggest monthly drop in a year against the yen and fell against the dollar as concern that Greece will not be able to meet its debt obligations spurred a retreat from riskier assets. The euro is the official currency of the European Union and is the second largest reserve currency.