Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Corp., struck a cautiously optimistic tone on the Philippines’ economic outlook, projecting a rebound as near-term risks begin to ease and structural strengths remain intact.
The Philippines faces a markedly weaker growth trajectory after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its 2026 expansion forecast to 4.1 percent, citing intensifying global shocks and a softer domestic backdrop.
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the looming effects of El Niño are emerging as twin headwinds to Philippine growth, with remittances and inflation pressures forming a potentially volatile mix.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan cautioned lawmakers that a prolonged Middle East conflict could trigger a severe economic shock in the Philippines, with surging oil prices threatening to reverse gains in poverty reduction.
Treasury bill yields continued to ease at Monday’s auction as investors positioned for a possible shift toward monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) amid weakening economic momentum.
Artificial intelligence is pushing local manufacturing to the limit. Electronics manufacturing giant EMS Group is rolling out an aggressive, multi-year capacity expansion to keep pace with skyrocketing demand for artificial intelligence hardware.
The peso and Philippine equities enter Monday facing another potentially volatile week as investors weigh persistent inflation pressures, softer growth prospects and expectations of further monetary tightening.
A Taiwanese manufacturing company is committing up to USD1.5 billion to build a major facility in New Clark City, bringing a potentially large export and jobs boost to the Philippines’ industrial sector.
Chinese-Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao captured his maiden Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday, sinking a clutch 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole to defeat Australia’s Wade Ormsby by one stroke after nearly surrendering a commanding lead.