Puerto Rico Economy Shrunk 0.2% in June

Puerto Rico's economy shrank 0.2% in June compared to May, according to the commonwealth's economic activity index.

June's index value was 1.8% lower than the index value a year earlier.

Compared to June 2015, in June 2016 two of the index's four components were up and two were down. Gasoline consumption was estimated to have increased by 3.4%. Electrical power generation increased by 0.4%. On the other hand, total non-farm payroll employment declined by 0.8% and cement sales declined by 19.5%.

The non-farm payroll employment data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics establishment survey of employers. The bureau also releases statistics on Puerto Rico'semployment based on a household survey. This showed that employment in June was up 2% compared to a year earlier. The discrepancy between the household and establishment surveys may be because the household survey includes self-employment and agricultural employment and the establishment survey doesn't.

The economic activity index is now down 19.4% from its all-time high in mid-2005.

• BY SOURCEMEDIA BOND BUYER

Puerto Rico Economy Shrunk 0.2% in June