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.
The Philippines urged Asia-Pacific economies to keep markets open, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate cooperation on digital and green trade as global disruptions continue to affect shipping routes, logistics costs, and trade flows.
The Ayala Corp. on Wednesday signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with leading Japanese firms Mitsubishi Corp., MUFG Bank, and KDDI Corp. in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation in smart cities, digital finance, marketing technology, and artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines has elected Dr. Diana Edralin as its new president, making history as the first Filipina to lead the business chamber.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. secured a landmark USD3.4 billion (around P210 billion) in investment pledges from leading Japanese companies during a high-level roundtable Wednesday at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) reported.