April 20, 2021 Biz in 60

Business in 60 Seconds

UK's unemployment rate falls unexpectedly to 4.9% The UK's unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in the three months through February, despite the country being in a tight lockdown. The jobless rate averaged 4-point-9 percent, edging down from 5-percent in the prior quarter. The Office for National Statistics linked the fall to a large number of people leaving the jobs market altogether. Johnson & Johnson reports 7% rise in Q1 net profit to $6.2B Johnson and Johnson has reported a 7-percent rise in first-quarter net profit to 6-point-2 billion dollars, beating analysts' expectations. The US drugmaker has also said its COVID-19 vaccine - that's on hold in the US - generated 100-million dollars in revenues. Last week, US regulators halted the use of the injection following severe blood clots in seven vaccinated women. Gojek, PT Tokopedia reportedly finalise $18B merger Indonesia's two most valuable start-ups - transport and delivery provider, Gojek, and e-commerce firm, Tokopedia - are reportedly finalising an 18-billion dollar merger. According to Bloomberg, Gojek's shareholders will hold 58-percent of the combined company, while the rest will be controlled by Tokopedia investors. Gojek's co-CEO, Andre Soelistyo, will head the new entity called 'GoTo'.