Stock investors are expected to take cues from the release of a slew of data this week, which includes the Philippines’ budget and trade balance numbers as well as US gross domestic product and jobless claims.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said upcoming local data include the budget balance, balance of trade, and bank loans M3 or money supply.

From the US, economic data to be released this week includes durable goods orders, US home prices gauges, Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, minutes of the Fed meeting, GDP, jobless claims, pending home sales, personal income and spending, PCE price index (the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge), trade deficit, and inflation expectations.

Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco also said that, this week, “investors are expected to digest factors that could improve sentiment. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s decision to keep his economic team intact may ease concerns over the uncertainties of the Philippines’ economic policies.”

2TradeAsia.com also said that, while the administration's recent cabinet reshuffle is “understandably jarring from a market noise perspective,” keeping the core economic team intact should provide “a degree of continuity at the very least.”

“This should help anchor expectations, especially as fiscal activity is expected to pick up in the second half via infrastructure rollouts and delayed spending programs,” it added.

Meanwhile, Tantiangco said “Signals from BSP Governor Eli Remolona, Jr. of two more possible rate cuts this year may also strengthen market confidence.”

However, he noted that concerns over the outlook of the US’ fiscal position amid risks of increasing debt may continue to weigh on sentiment. Investors are also expected to watch out for fresh leads particularly on the trade negotiations with the US.

For stock picks, COL Financial has a BUY rating on SSI Group because “Our positive outlook on the company is underpinned by our more constructive view on discretionary consumer spending this year, driven by easing inflation and a more accommodative interest rate environment.”

While potential second round effects from US tariff policies (such as possible price adjustments by brand principals) remain a risk, COL said “we believe any shocks will be cushioned by the resilience of SSI’s core customer base in the upper-end segment.”

The brokerage also has a BUY rating for GT Capital “as its portfolio of assets (banking, automotive, property, infrastructure, etc.) allows it to participate in the continued growth of the country.”

Meanwhile, Unicapital Securities Research Analyst Jeri Alfonso favors Jollibee noting that, “We remain optimistic on JFC’s earnings outlook, with double-digit bottomline growth expected this year, driven by the full consolidation of Compose Coffee, resilient domestic operations, and continued international momentum.”