Despite an anticipated surge in soured loans caused by the Middle East war, Gotianun-led East West Banking Corp. (EastWest Bank) has shown a firm commitment to penetrating the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) segment beyond lending, as it also aims for “embedded banking” within...
China Banking Corp. (Chinabank), the second financial services unit of the SM Group, posted a four-percent improvement in net income to ₱6.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026 on the back of strong core business growth. The firm reported to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Thursday, April...
Local equities fell for the second consecutive session, dragging the benchmark index below the psychological 6,000-level as investors braced for the potential interest rate hike by the central bank and monitored simmering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Philippine Stock Exchange index...
Local stocks ended Tuesday’s session virtually unchanged as investors balanced optimism over potential diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East against domestic concerns regarding tightening monetary policy. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) edged up 2.67 points, or 0.04 percent, to...
High energy prices and persistent geopolitical instability are poised to deepen the Philippines’ external imbalances, heightening depreciation risks for an already fragile peso, according to analysts at Dutch financial giant ING ING wrote in its latest report, published last Friday night, that it...
Private sector economists are split over whether the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will raise interest rates this week, as the need to anchor inflation expectations and defend the peso battles concerns over the fragile economic recovery. Of 10 economists surveyed, five expect a 25-basis-point...
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell below the 6,000 level on Friday, April 17, as investors cashed out ahead of the weekend amid concern over the economic impact of the oil crisis. The main index lost 64.56 points, or 1.06 percent, to close the week at 5,999.13. Conglomerates led the...
Despite a more somber outlook for Philippine economic growth this year, Singapore-based Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. (OCBC) now expects local monetary authorities to deliver a 25-basis-point (bp) rate hike in 2026 as consumer prices continue to rise persistently. This assumption would mark a...
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) bounced on Wednesday, April 15, as news of another round of United States (US)-Iran talks led to some bargain hunting. The main index added 50.25 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 6,063.35. Banks and services led the advance across the board. Volume...
Local equities market extended its decline on Tuesday, April 14, as escalating tensions in the Middle East and domestic political instability dampened investor appetite, offsetting otherwise positive global leads. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) retreated 40.95 points, or 0.68 percent,...
Moody’s Ratings affirmed the long-term deposit ratings of three major Philippine lenders, shifting its outlook on Security Bank Corp. to stable as capital pressures ease following the sharp slowdown in credit expansion. The global debt watcher kept the "Baa2" ratings—consistent with the...
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined on Monday, April 13, after hopes for an early resolution of the Middle East conflict were dashed because the United States (US)-Iran talks failed and US President Donald Trump issued more threats. The main index lost 44.16 points, or 0.72 percent,...
