Analysts’ expectations on policy rates (May 19)
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) could still keep rates steady on Thursday as it waits for more proof of a robust economic recovery, although some analysts said a rate hike is likely after the strong first-quarter print.
Auto sales
VEHICLE sales for April improved by 40.9% year on year to 25,149 units on the back of improved consumer demand, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) released on Thursday.
Gross domestic product (GDP) quarterly performance
THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY expanded by a better-than-expected 8.3% in the first quarter, surpassing the pre-pandemic output level as household spending surged amid the easing of coronavirus curbs.
Net foreign direct investment
NET INFLOWS of foreign direct investments (FDI) jumped by 46.3% year on year in February, as the further reopening of the economy lifted investor confidence.
Performance of Philippine agriculture
THE COUNTRY’S overall agricultural output shrank by an annual 0.3% by value in the first quarter, due to a decline in fisheries, livestock and crop production, government data showed.
Philippine manufacturing output growth climbs to 7-month high in March
FACTORY OUTPUT in March grew at its fastest pace in seven months as manufacturers propped up inventories after restrictions eased.
General Wholesale Price Index in the Philippines
WHOLESALE price growth of general goods in March continued to approach levels not seen in over a decade due to rising commodity prices in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest lockdowns in China.
How minimum wages compare across regions in April
This infographic compares the current daily minimum wages set by the country’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and the inflation-adjusted minimum wages as of April based on latest data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
A tale of spending during election years, 1982-2021
Do elections provide an economic boost? A look at government data from 1982 to 2021 showed gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaging higher (4.8%) in election years than in non-election years (3.2%).
Philippine labor force situation
The country's unemployment rate in March eased on a monthly basis to its lowest since the start of the coronavirus pandemic due to further loosening of mobility restrictions, but job quality worsened to a four-month high.