While Asian currencies have been on a modest decline since Middle East tensions flared up, Japanese financial giant MUFG Bank Ltd. said the Philippine peso was the biggest loser among regional currencies, given the domestic economy’s high exposure to imported oil. Separately, think tank Capital...
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...
While the oil-induced inflation spike in the Philippines is raising concerns, think tank Capital Economics expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep key interest rates steady for the rest of the year. In an April 15 report, Capital Economics chief emerging markets (EMs) economist...
Pockets of extreme tightness in refined fuel supply across Asia are emerging as a major constraint on growth, with the Philippines among the most exposed economies, according to think tank Oxford Economics. In report last Wednesday, April 15, Oxford Economics senior economist Sheana Yue warned that...
The Philippine economy is facing its most severe test from the ongoing oil crisis, with economists warning that surging fuel costs and supply disruptions are exposing deep structural vulnerabilities and could derail growth prospects this year. In separate reports released on Friday, April 10,...
The Philippines’ energy rationing measures, including a shortened four-day workweek for some government offices, are disproportionately hitting low-income households, raising risks of stagflation and potential social unrest, according to think tank Oxford Economics. In a report on Thursday, April...
The jump in the March inflation rate has set the stage for a potential 50-basis-point (bp) rate hike by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) during the second quarter, according to global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs. In an April 7 report obtained by Manila Bulletin, Goldman Sachs...
If the war in the Middle East prolongs and global oil prices continue to skyrocket, the Philippine peso could breach the ₱61:$1 level in the second quarter of 2026 and even hit as low as ₱62 to ₱64 against the United States (US) dollar. “Our base case forecasts for the US dollar-Philippine...
Renewed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are seen aggravating oil price- and supply-driven inflation pressures in the Philippines stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East. “While the direct effect of renewed strikes on shipping in the Red Sea on aggregate world trade is likely to be limited,...
The Philippines and its emerging neighbors in Southeast Asia face deepening threat of physical fuel shortages and systemic economic paralysis as the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz chokes off refined petroleum imports. According to Oxford Economics, the Philippines is among the most...
The Philippines has lagged behind its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors in attracting Chinese outbound direct investment (ODI), even as other emerging-market (EM) economies in the region continue to benefit from China’s overseas investment growth, according to think tank...
Central banks in emerging markets (EMs), including the Philippines, are seen hiking interest rates to temper weakening currencies and higher capital outflows, according to think tank Capital Economics. Shilan Shah, deputy chief EM economist at Capital Economics, said in a March 30 report that they...
