With official jobs data unavailable due to the US government shutdown since October 1, markets turned to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book for a pulse on the economy. It merely confirmed what previous official data showed—tepid business and economic activity that had earlier spurred the Fed to cut interest rates in hopes of jumpstarting a muted labor market.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday signaled the likelihood of further monetary policy easing, saying recent data suggest little change in inflation and employment conditions since the central bank’s last rate cut in September.
A fresh bout of uncertainty and mounting anticipation of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut added glitter to gold, pushing it to a record high on Tuesday.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled Friday that the U.S. central bank may cut interest rates at its next policy meeting in September, citing growing risks to the labor market and ongoing inflation pressures.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has issued new guidelines governing the planned export of up to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of raw sugar to the United States for crop year 2025–2026, outlining who may participate and stressing that the program can be stopped at any time if conditions change.
A P3.3-billion SMX Convention Center, billed as the largest in the Philippines, will rise in Cebu by the third quarter of 2026, cementing the city’s position as a premier hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).
The Department of Energy (DOE) said ASEAN senior energy officials have endorsed the group’s annual energy priorities, including the Philippines’ key proposals for its ASEAN chairmanship.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) P11.77-billion Claver-Siargao Interconnection Project (CSIP), aimed at improving power supply in Siargao Island.