Philippine financial markets are expected to remain fragile this week, with investors bracing for continued volatility as risk aversion dominates sentiment and the benchmark index struggles to regain footing above key levels.
The Philippine peso tumbled to a fresh record low on Thursday, breaching the P60-per-dollar mark, as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and surging oil prices rattled markets and drove investors toward the safety of the US dollar.
Philippine financial markets could face choppy trading ahead as investors weigh technical resistance levels in equities against fresh pressure on the peso from global risks, including elevated oil prices.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slid 1.3 percent to 6,384.58, extending profit-taking for a second session after touching seven- to nine-month highs. Even so, the benchmark remains comfortably above the 6,000 mark, keeping the broader uptrend intact and suggesting the pullback is more consolidation than reversal.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is testing a digital document tracking system designed to cut processing delays, reduce misplaced records and strengthen accountability as the tax agency pushes to make taxpayer services faster and more efficient.
Electrified vehicles could account for as much as 30 percent of Philippine automotive sales by yearend, underscoring the rapid shift toward alternative powertrains even as the broader vehicle market is expected to contract.
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is targeting up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity in Casiguran, Aurora, as it seeks to build the power infrastructure needed to attract manufacturers and accelerate industrialization in the province.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is warning that further increases in excise taxes on cigarettes could accelerate the decline of the Philippines’ legitimate tobacco market, potentially creating more room for illicit cigarettes to expand.