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 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.
Major U.S. markets closed lower Thursday as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium—an elite annual gathering of global central bankers that often sets the tone for global interest rate direction.
Average rates on treasury bills were lower at Monday’s auction, reflecting expectations of further monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The Philippines remains hopeful of signing the master agreement for the proposed Pax Silica advanced manufacturing hub before yearend, with negotiations progressing and no major substantive issues threatening a deal, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Philippines recorded a net inflow of $4.8 billion during the first eight months of 2026, dropping from the $5.9 billion registered in the same period last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday reported.
Yuchengco-led EcoSolar Energy Corp. (ESEC) announced that its 22.5 megawatt / 45 megawatt-hour Panitan Energy Storage Project in Capiz began testing and commissioning as a generation facility last week.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has allocated ₱2.75 billion in emergency lending to assist over 109,000 active members and old-age and disability pensioners living in areas hit by crop pest infestations, rising dengue infections, and the El Niño dry spell.