First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC), the investment banking arm of Metrobank, expects the Philippine economy to grow faster this year and continue to be among the best performing economies in Asia.

“In the face of domestic and global challenges, the Philippine economy achieved a commendable 5.5% GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023, driven by strong domestic demand,” said FMIC President Jose Patricio Dumlao in a press briefing. 

He added that, “This year, we continue to anticipate external headwinds - global growth outlook remains subdued. While headline inflation has softened in many countries driven by the decline in food and energy prices, core inflation remains a concern.”

“External uncertainties such as the movements of the Fed and a potential sharper slowdown in China could drag on growth. Amidst all this, the country’s economy, with its strong macroeconomic fundamentals, is expected to expand by 6.0 percent,” Dumlao noted. 

Growth will be fueled by robust private consumption, increased government infrastructure spending, a strong labor market, and the recovery of domestic tourism. 

The country’s external sector remains stable, with manageable external debt, decreasing debt-to-GDP ratio and substantial Gross International Reserves (GIR) exceeding $100 billion, equivalent to seven and a half months’ worth of imports.

Inflation, which saw a 14-year high in 2023, is expected to ease to 3.8 percent this year, aligned with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target range of 2.0 percent to 4.0 percent. This will bring the much-needed respite for household income.

The peso will remain under pressure due to persistent uncertainties on when and by how much the Fed will cut policy rates. It is projected to trade within the P56 to P58 range against the dollar.

Following a cumulative 100-basis point increase in policy rates over the past year, interest rates are anticipated to decline underpinned by a decrease in inflationary pressure.

In the capital markets, the much-awaited policy pivot along with a slowdown in inflation is poised to entice debt issuers back into the market, capitalizing on reduced borrowing costs. 

On the equity side, the potential easing of bond yields should boost the attractiveness of the stock market, encouraging issuers to consider equity issuances as a valuable alternative for capital raising. 

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) is bound to stage a recovery this year driven by improving investor sentiment and easing equity risk premium arising from declining inflation and interest rates, and resilient double-digit corporate earnings. 

It is expected to hit 7,000 to 7,500 supported by earnings per share (EPS) growth of 11 percent and a price-to-earnings range of 12.6 times to 13.6 times.