Power rates to go down in October
TYPICAL HOUSEHOLDS can expect their monthly electricity bill to go down by P19 in October after distribution utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced on Monday another cut in the overall rates due to a reduction in power generation charges.
House Speaker Arroyo to count on rapport in last big role in PHL politics
IN WHAT MAY be the last chapter of a long and complicated political career, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo aims to fulfill what she regards as her mission now, or “our objective...to push for the President’s legislative agenda.”
Economists watch if inflation has peaked
INFLATION can now go either way towards yearend after September logged a fresh nine-year high, economists said in separate assessments last weekend.
AMRO adds to expectations of PHL growth slowdown as price hikes bite
A REGIONAL research group has slashed its growth forecast for the Philippines, noting that surging inflation and consumer pessimism will likely weigh on household spending and dampen overall expansion.
WB readies $300-M loan to improve gov’t revenue, spending efficiency
THE WORLD BANK is preparing a $300-million loan for the government designed to improve revenue and spending efficiency.
Inflation hits fresh 9-year high in Sept
INFLATION surged anew in September to a fresh nine-year high as the strong typhoon which hit last month worsened supply issues for rice and other crops, spurring calls for further interest rate hikes from the central bank.
August factory output growth slows
MANUFACTURING output continued to expand in August albeit at a slower pace compared to a month earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported last Friday.
Gross international reserves falls to 7-year low
GROSS international reserves (GIR) dropped anew to a seven-year low in September amid lower gold valuations and as the central bank used the stash to defend the currency.
WB flags growth slowdown
THE WORLD BANK has downgraded its 2018 economic growth forecast for the Philippines -- making it the third multilateral lender to do so since last week due to heightened external uncertainties and surging inflation locally -- but overall prospects should remain “strong” enough for it to maintain the country’s projections for 2019-2020.
BSP says risks are ‘growing pains’
THE PHILIPPINES has ample policy space to respond to persistent threats of surging inflation, a weaker peso and a growing trade gap, a senior central bank official said, describing such concerns as “growing pains” for the economy.
Investors glum on Asia sovereign bonds as dollar, oil prices bite
ON TRACK for their first annual drop since 2015, emerging Asia’s sovereign bonds look set to call time on a two-year binge fueled by a tide of cheap money.
Bankers see stability ahead in BSP poll
EXECUTIVES of Philippine banks expect the industry to remain stable over the next two years, with most lenders saying they will use financial technology (fintech) to capture more clients and improve services.