A slightly higher inflation rate that remains below two percent in June would allow the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut interest rates some more in August, economists said. In a June 27 report, Deutsche Bank Research economist Junjie Huang said headline inflation could have inched up to...
While the Philippine peso is expected to weaken further due to pressure from the latest central bank easing and ongoing Israel-Iran tensions, the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) has projected that second-quarter economic growth accelerated faster than in the first quarter on still-tame...
Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI) is making a bigger push to expand its operations in the United States (US), although this will be spearheaded by its snack brand Potato Corner instead of its flagship pizza restaurants. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the firm said...
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with the non-government organization (NGO) Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) to improve government services for Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) across the country. The collaboration, called...
The peso dropped to the ₱57 level against the United States (US) dollar on Thursday morning, June 19, ahead of the expected Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) interest rate cut later in the day. According to the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the local currency opened at ₱57.1,...
The consumer sector continues to show signs of post-pandemic growth with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, reporting a 15 percent increase in first-quarter foot traffic at its flagship Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex. The firm said that...
Leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY Philippines (Bricolage Philippines, Inc.) secured the ESG Initiative of the Year - Philippines category at the 2025 Retail Asia Awards, recognizing its commitment to providing affordable and convenient home solutions while fostering positive community...
Netherlands-based financial giant ING does not expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to end its easing cycle in the upcoming monetary policy meeting, citing below-target inflation and a continued appreciation of the peso. These factors, coupled with “high real rates, and uncertainty over...
The Qantas Group is closing its intra-Asia airline, Jetstar Asia, to strengthen its core businesses in Australia and New Zealand amid growing challenges. In a statement, Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group chief executive officer, said the closure of Jetstar Asia would free up about $500 million in...
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the 2025 Global Platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing the...
Atome, a buy-now-pay-later provider operating in Southeast Asia, has secured a $75 million asset-backed financing deal from investment firm Lending Ark, supporting its push to expand financial access in the Philippines. The Lending Ark Asia provided the financing for a secured private debt fund,...
The Philippines and Canada have officially assumed co-chairmanship of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP), succeeding Vietnam and Australia during the OECD ministerial council meeting held in Paris, France. In a statement on...
