The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday reported net foreign investments of USD283.69 million exiting the Philippines In January 2025. This was a significant improvement compared to the previous month's outflows of USD487.37 million. The decrease, amounting to USD203.68 million or 41.8 percent, points to a recovery in market sentiment despite ongoing global economic pressures.
The Philippines’ posted a substantial trade deficit of USD5.09 billion in January, widening from the USD4.36 billion trade gap in the same month last year, as export growth failed to keep pace with the rise in imports. This wider trade deficit highlights the country’s persistent struggle to meet its domestic needs through local production and its inability to identify new export drivers to strengthen its economic position.
ABS-CBN Corp. has sold a significant portion of its Quezon City property to Ayala Land Inc., one of the country’s largest property developers, for P6.24 billion.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has deferred the approval of capital expenditure projects proposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) totaling P20.32 billion.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday directed the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to conduct an urgent inspection of onion cold storage facilities across the country.
Security Bank Corporation and its investment banking arm Security Bank Capital secured nine honors at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Finance Awards 2026. The awards recognize their work funding key Philippine projects across clean energy, water, and transport. The group took top prizes including Asia-Pacific Deal of the Year and Project Finance Deal of the Year for the historic PHP150 billion Terra Solar loan, which backs what is set to be the world’s largest integrated solar and battery facility. They also earned awards for hydro power schemes, Southeast Asia’s first water sector green equity IPO for Maynilad, and a major bond issuance for Metro Pacific Tollways. Officials said the wins reflect their commitment to building critical infrastructure and advancing the country’s renewable energy shift.
SM Prime Holdings Inc. has expanded its business in Xiamen, China, launching its first hotel in the country last month. The 325-room Voco Xiamen SM City connects directly to SM Xiamen, the group’s first property in China opened 25 years ago. Worth about 450 million yuan or P4 billion, it sits near a metro station and is close to Xiamen’s airport and railway station. SM Prime president Jeffrey C. Lim said the project turns the complex into a full lifestyle destination, taking advantage of China’s growing tourism market and new government support policies. Xiamen is also the hometown of SM group founder Henry Sy Sr.
Universal Robina Corporation has secured key recognitions from two of Hong Kong’s biggest retail chains, PARKnSHOP and 7-Eleven, marking a major step forward in the company’s international expansion and localization efforts.
The Philippines and the US are racing to seal a framework agreement for the proposed Pax Silica technology hub in New Clark City before year-end, a move that could unlock one of Southeast Asia's biggest platforms for artificial intelligence, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing investments.