The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the second time this year, aiming to support economic growth and hiring even as inflation remains elevated. But Fed Chairman Jerome Powell cautioned that another cut at the central bank meeting in December is far from certain.
Treasury bill rates continued to ease this week as investors bet on the growing likelihood of monetary policy easing, following softer-than-expected inflation data in the US.
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.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. reported a 5 percent increase in first-quarter income to P6.9 billion from P6.6 billion a year ago, despite higher energy prices and global market volatility.
SPC Power Corp. has set aside P3 billion in capital expenditures for 2026 to support the development of battery energy storage system (BESS) and solar power projects.
AirAsia has signed a deal with Airbus to buy 150 A220-300 aircraft in an agreement valued at about $19 billion at list prices. The airline also has the option to increase the order to 300 aircraft in the future, making it the largest single firm order globally for the A220 model.
ASEAN leaders are expected to issue a unified statement on the Middle East at the 40th ASEAN Summit tomorrow, outlining both a regional position and a framework for addressing future crises, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.