Weak Confidence Clouds PH Spending Outlook
BMI Research, a Fitch Group unit, lowered its 2026 Philippine household‑spending growth forecast to 4.4% from 4.5%, citing weak consumer confidence and persistent inflation. The Q1 consumer‑confidence index improved to –15.8 but stayed in negative territory, while inflation is now projected to average 4.3% for 2023, up from an earlier 3.6% outlook. Unemployment edged down to 5% and the central bank raised its policy rate to 4.5%, with expectations of a further hike to 4.75% by year‑end. Elevated household debt and a peso purchasing‑power dip to roughly $0.013 per US dollar add to the spending headwinds.
FDI Hit 3-Month High of $590M in February
Net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Philippines rose to $590 million in February, marking a three‑month peak. The figure remains 31 percent lower than a year earlier and the first‑two‑month total of $1 billion is down 34.8 percent YoY. Equity‑capital placements reached...
SC Rule vs Mining ‘Trial by Sentiment’ Hailed
The Philippine Supreme Court dismissed a Writ of Kalikasan petition against Hinatuan Mining Corp., a unit of Nickel Asia Corp., citing insufficient form and substance. The court emphasized that environmental cases must be grounded in scientific evidence and proper judicial...
ACEN Seals Funding for 75-MW Solar Farm in Australia
ACEN Corp., the listed energy arm of the Ayala Group, achieved financial close for the 75‑MW Jinbi Solar Project in Pilbara, Australia, through its Yindjibarndi Energy Corp. partnership. The project, slated for commissioning by mid‑2028, includes a 30‑year power purchase...
Aboitiz Unit Eyes More Japan Flights for Bohol
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Bohol‑Panglao International Airport welcomed its first chartered flight from Japan, bringing 163 tourists on May 2. The flight, operated by Cebu Pacific from Narita, follows a 38% jump in Japanese arrivals to Central Visayas, which reached 337,812 in 2025....
PH Fuel Prices Still Easing Amid Uncertainty
The Philippine Department of Energy announced a further cut to diesel (‑₱9.57/L, now ₱71.19‑₱93.83/L or about $1.30‑$1.70) and kerosene (‑₱13.30/L, now ₱111.70‑₱136.70/L or about $2.02‑$2.48), while gasoline ticked up 0.47 PHP (~$0.008) per litre. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the nation’s...
Teach Gen Z the Power of Money
Financial journalist Salve Ibañez uses her Mother’s Day essay to argue that teaching Filipino Gen Z about money requires a values‑first approach. She highlights the generation’s 41 million size, their blend of idealism and pragmatism, and the failure of the old “save...
Jumbo Rate Hikes Seen Despite Anemic Growth
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to press ahead with aggressive rate hikes despite anemic growth, with analysts flagging a possible 50‑basis‑point increase in June if oil prices stay above $100 a barrel. The central bank already lifted...
GIR Weighed Down by MidEast War-Induced Volatility
Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIR) dropped to $104.1 billion in April, the lowest level since January 2025. The decline was driven by central bank dollar sales to curb peso volatility, lower offshore investment values, and a dip in gold holdings amid rising...
Good Until April 2027: PH Secures Rice Supply From Vietnam
The Philippines and Vietnam have signed a one‑year agreement to supply 1.5 million metric tons of rice through April 2027, locking in a price of $450 per metric ton for the premium Dai Thom 8 variety. The deal was announced at the ASEAN...
LPG, Kerosene Excise Tax Relief Gnaws on Customs Collections
The Philippines suspended excise taxes on imported LPG and kerosene, causing customs duties on those fuels to plunge 88% to roughly $0.9 million in the week of April 27‑May 3. Import volumes fell 85% to 7,222 metric tons, while the tax cut trimmed consumer...
Higher Provisions Drag Down PSBank Earnings
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) posted a 21.3% drop in first‑quarter net income to P944 million (≈ $17 million) versus P1.2 billion a year earlier, as loan provisions surged 73% to P716 million (≈ $13 million). Despite the earnings dip, net interest income rose 3% to P3.36 billion (≈ $60 million)...
Manila Water’s January-to-March Profit Surged 24%
Manila Water Co. posted a 24% jump in first‑quarter net income to P4.41 billion (≈$79 million), driven by higher tariffs and disciplined cost control. Revenue rose 11% to P10.63 billion (≈$191 million) and EBITDA climbed 14% to P7.87 billion (≈$142 million). The company invested P2.8 billion (≈$50 million) in network upgrades and...
PH Trade Deficit Worst in Asean
The Philippines recorded the widest trade deficit among ASEAN members from 2015 to 2024, with the gap expanding from $8.5 billion to $26.8 billion. In March 2024 the six‑month‑high deficit reached $4.5 billion as exports rose 20.4% to $6.78 billion while imports climbed 12.3%...
Oil Price Shock Limits Q1 GDP Growth to 2.8%
Philippine GDP grew 2.8% in Q1 2026, the slowest pace since the pandemic. The contraction reflects a double hit from soaring Middle East oil prices and a lingering flood‑control corruption scandal that stalled infrastructure spending. Household consumption fell to 3%...
Banks to Weather Iran Shocks – BSP
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) says Philippine banks have limited direct exposure to the Iran‑related Middle East conflict, relying on strong capital buffers and ample liquidity to absorb spillovers. Assets rose 8.9% to P29.9 trillion (about $538 billion) in 2025, while...
Weaker Peso Bloats Government Debt
The Philippines' total government debt rose to a record P18.49 trillion (about $333 billion) at the end of March, up roughly 2% from February and reaching 65.2% of GDP. The increase reflects higher domestic borrowing—domestic debt climbed to P12.53 trillion ($226 billion)—and a valuation...
Piki Lopez Asks SEC to Probe ABS-CBN Execs
Filipino businessman Federico “Piki” Lopez filed a complaint with the Philippines SEC demanding an investigation into ABS‑CBN Corp.’s top executives for alleged misuse of funds. He alleges the company incurred about ₱45.5 billion ($827 million) in net losses from 2020‑2025, leaving a...
Philippine Manufacturers ‘Squeezed’ as Costs Soar, Demand Falls
Philippine manufacturers are facing a double squeeze as inflation surged to 7.2% in April and the S&P Global PMI slipped to 48.3, signaling a contraction in factory activity. The Federation of Philippine Industries warned that rising fuel, electricity, freight and...
BSP Seen Weighing Off-Cycle Rate Hike
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is weighing an off‑cycle half‑point rate hike to 5% as early as May, after April inflation surged to 7.2% year‑over‑year, far above forecasts. Citi economists note the BSP historically reacts aggressively when inflation reaches 6‑7%,...
PSEi Rebounds as Easing Mideast War Lift Sentiment
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 1.17% to 5,967.21 points on May 6, 2026, as easing tensions between the United States and Iran lifted risk appetite. Foreign investors added roughly $2.3 million—the third straight day of net buying—while total turnover reached about...
First Gen Jan-Mar Income Down 24% After Gas Stake Sale
First Gen Corp's Q1 2026 net income fell 24% to PHP3.6 billion (~$65 million) from PHP4.8 billion (~$87 million) after selling a 60% stake in its natural‑gas assets for PHP50 billion (~$0.9 billion). The company now only records a 40% share of gas‑related profit. Losses at...
PSEi Falls Below 5,900 on Inflation Shock
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped below 5,900, closing at 5,898.08, after inflation surged to 7.2% and geopolitical tensions rose in the Middle East. The index fell 0.74% (44.08 points). Turnover was only PHP 4.61 billion (≈ $83 million) and foreign inflows were PHP 38.59 million...
P2/L Fuel Hike Follows 3 Weeks of Price Drop
The Philippines’ Department of Energy announced a fuel price increase of up to P2.66 per liter for diesel and P2.21 per liter for gasoline, ending three weeks of rollback. Diesel prices now sit between P79.62 and P107.48 per liter (≈$1.43‑$1.92), while...
Megaworld Q1 Profit Rises 6% to P6.2B
Megaworld Corp. posted a 6% rise in first‑quarter net income to ₱6.2 billion (about $113 million), with consolidated revenues reaching ₱21.6 billion (~$393 million). Leasing income climbed to ₱5.6 billion, propelled by stronger mall performance and tenant expansion in its townships. Mall, office, and hotel...
Asian Markets Mixed, Oil Steady After Wall Street Hits Records
Asian equities displayed a mixed performance on Monday as U.S. stocks hit fresh all‑time highs, buoyed by strong corporate earnings. South Korea’s Kospi surged 3.8% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.4%, whereas Australia’s ASX 200 slipped modestly. Oil prices remained...
Toyota Drives EV Recycling in Crucial Race to Save Planet
Toyota Motor Philippines brought its partner En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler to Japan for a two‑day training on EV battery dismantling, storage and recycling. The program, part of Toyota’s Global 100 Dismantlers Project, also included participants from Thailand and aims to expand a...
Money Happens: Expert Tips for Managing Medical Debt
Jennifer Vall, a Minnesota health‑care specialist, faced $21,000 in medical debt after battling cancer herself and caring for her son’s leukemia. Despite a strong credit score, the ongoing bills forced her to enlist a debt‑management firm to negotiate repayment. Financial...
Cebu Highlands, Not Just the Beaches, Beckon to Tourists
Cebu is being marketed as an active‑wellness travel hub, with Aboitiz InfraCapital highlighting the island’s highland trails as a natural extension of its airport gateway. The article showcases three key destinations—Mt. Manunggal, Mt. Mago and Badian Highlands—each offering distinct hiking...
ABS-CBN Expands Abroad with New International Music Arm
ABS‑CBN Corp. has launched ABS‑CBN Music International (AMI), a joint‑venture label that merges its domestic music assets with its global operations. The new arm will serve as a pipeline for Filipino artists such as BINI, BGYO, JMKO and Acoya to...
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Proposes New US Talks
Oil prices slipped on Friday after Iran signaled a willingness to restart talks with the United States via Pakistan, briefly pushing WTI below $100 a barrel. The dip was short‑lived, with WTI rebounding to $101.7 and Brent to $108.4 as...
S&P 500, Nasdaq End at Fresh Records on Tech Earnings Strength
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at fresh all‑time highs on Friday, propelled by robust earnings from technology leaders such as Apple, which rose 3.2% after beating expectations. FactSet data shows S&P 500 companies are on track for 27.1% earnings growth, the...
Philippine Banks Keep Lending Rules Unchanged Despite War Impact
A quarterly survey of senior loan officers shows that most Philippine banks will keep lending standards unchanged in Q2 2026 for both business and household loans. About 61.5% of banks see business loan criteria staying the same, while 65.7% expect no...
SEC Flags Fake ‘Shopwise’ Platform
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an advisory warning the public about a fraudulent online platform operating under the names SHOPWISE.WORK and SHOPWISE ONLINE WORK PLATFORM. The scheme masquerades as a job‑offering service, asking participants to deposit as...
BSP Directs Financial Firms to Do Cyber Self-Checks
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued Circular No. 1232 requiring all supervised banks and financial institutions to conduct regular cyber self‑assessments using a new Cybersecurity Maturity Framework and Control Self‑Assessment tool. Firms must submit an initial assessment within 60 days...
SEC Eyes New Derivative Market with Structured Warrant Rules
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission released a draft memorandum circular proposing a regulatory framework for structured warrants, a new derivative product. The rules limit issuance to licensed broker‑dealers, require a minimum paid‑up capital of ₱400 million (≈$7.3 million), and set caps...
Investors Dump Philippine Securities as War Rattles Markets
Foreign portfolio investors pulled $1.96 billion from the Philippines in March, marking the largest three‑month outflow and shifting the first‑quarter net balance to a $2.81 billion loss. The retreat was most acute in government securities, which saw a $1.3 billion net outflow after...
Ayala Land Q1 Profit Drops to P5.4B
Ayala Land Inc. posted a first‑quarter net profit of ₱5.4 billion (about $98 million), down 22% from the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose to ₱37.5 billion (~$682 million), buoyed by a 9% increase in leasing and hospitality earnings. Hospitality revenue jumped 30%...
Balisacan: Peso Slide Driven by Strong Dollar, High Global Oil Prices
Philippine Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the peso’s slide to a record low of 61.75 per dollar was driven mainly by an unusually strong US dollar and rising global oil prices. The stronger dollar pulled capital into U.S. assets, while...
Andy Saracho Is New President of Comm&Sense
Andy Saracho has been appointed president of Comm&Sense, a Manila‑based strategic communications firm. Saracho brings nearly four decades of experience across public relations, journalism, government communications and corporate roles, including a stint as vice president of the Veterans Affairs Office...
SM Malls Defy Cost Surge with Stronger Sales
SM Prime Holdings reported that first‑quarter mall foot traffic in the Philippines held steady despite higher fuel prices, matching last year’s levels while sales rose to near double‑digit growth. Mall revenues jumped 8% to PHP20.4 billion (about $364 million), representing 61% of...
Privacy Watchdog Clears Jollibee’s Christmas Ads
The National Privacy Commission (NPC) cleared Jollibee Foods Corp. and Rakuten Viber of violating the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act after a probe into the 2025 Holiday Gems Christmas campaign. The investigation found the stickers were delivered via on‑device keyword matching, with...
ICTSI Seen to Withstand Middle East War Shock
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is expected to weather the Middle East war with limited exposure, as First Metro Securities projects earnings growth of 11.9%‑15.4% over the next two years. The Basra Gateway Terminal in Iraq accounts for only...
Disclosure Duty of Listed Companies
First Gen Corp, a Philippine‑listed firm, delayed disclosing two contract provisions with Prime Infrastructure Corp for six and two months, respectively, prompting a shareholder group to request an investigation by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the Securities and Exchange...
Maharlika Brings Indian Investor to Makilala Mine
Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) sold its $10 million bridge loan for the Makilala Mining Company to Equinaire Holdings, a subsidiary of India‑listed Kiri Industries. The loan had financed early engineering and feasibility work for the Maalinao‑Caigutan‑Biyog copper‑gold project in Kalinga. MIC...
Cebu Pacific Turns Cautious on Hitting 30M Passengers in ’26
Cebu Pacific has tempered its 2026 growth outlook, acknowledging that the goal of transporting 30 million passengers may be out of reach. Soaring jet‑fuel prices—now $184.63 per barrel and fuel surcharges of about $33 for domestic and $277 for international flights—are...
Painful but Necessary: Lopez Majority Justifies Leadership Shake-Up
The Lopez family majority, controlling about 71% of Lopez Inc., voted to remove cousin Federico “Piki” Lopez as president, citing a loss of trust and serious governance concerns. The dispute centers on two First Gen Corp. transactions—a PHP 50 billion (≈$900 million) sale of...
When Business Dynasties Fracture: A Governance Wake-Up Call
The public feud between Lopez Inc. brothers Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III and Federico “Piki” Lopez has exposed a deep governance deadlock within one of the Philippines’ most storied family conglomerates. The dispute, now in court, underscores how undefined ownership roles and ambiguous...
New Blueprint for ‘Smart Hospitals’
St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City is constructing a 13‑story "smart hospital" slated for completion in 2027. The new building will house roughly 80% of the existing services, centralizing labs, imaging and treatment in 132 patient rooms and expanded outpatient,...
What to Know if Your Flight Is Canceled Amid Rising Jet Fuel Costs
Airlines are increasingly canceling flights as the war in the Middle East drives jet‑fuel prices higher, prompting carriers like Lufthansa to cut 20,000 short‑haul services through October. Most fuel‑related cancellations are announced days or weeks ahead, giving travelers more time...