News

Espenilla: Storm disruptions to agriculture 'short-lived, localized'

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 18 08:26 AM

Espenilla said the BSP would review its inflation targets "once more information is available." Imports compensating for damage will also be considered, he said. Read more »

Why higher interest rates may be good for the economy

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 12 09:03 AM

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could hike its benchmark rate by as much as 50 more basis points, bringing it to 4.5 percent by year end, which will still be low compared to the early 2000s. Read more »

Rising interest rates to affect middle class borrowers: Phinma boss

Cathy Yang, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 06 04:16 PM

Some banks may have not adjusted their interest rates just yet but it is something to watch out for especially for the middle class, del Rosario told ANC in an exclusive interview for The Boss.  Read more »

Government 'did little or nothing' to tame inflation, says Salceda

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 06 12:28 AM

A lawmaker on Wednesday blamed the government for its supposed inaction on quickening inflation, and warned that workers' call for wage hikes may pose problems on efforts to stabilize prices.  Read more »

August inflation seen speeding up to fastest in almost a decade: Reuters poll

Reuters
Posted at Sep 04 06:01 PM

Philippine annual inflation is expected to have quickened in August to the fastest pace in nearly 9.5 years, reflecting higher prices of key food items, including rice, and energy costs, a Reuters poll showed. Read more »

Household loans decelerate in July: Bangko Sentral

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 31 06:00 PM

Loans for household consumption slowed to 16.9 percent in July from the revised 17.8 percent in June, the BSP said in a statement.  Read more »

BSP poised for fourth rate hike this year: Fitch Solutions

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 30 04:14 PM

A further 50-basis point hike will bring the overnight borrowing rate to 4.5 percent and will match a 50-basis point increase last Aug. 9. Read more »

Philippines a 'solid' choice for foreign investors: Bangko Sentral

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 30 09:12 AM

The average fund weight of emerging market investors on the Philippines fell to 0.87 percent, the lowest since 2011, the Financial Times reported, citing Copley Fund Research, which analyzed 180 emerging market funds. Read more »

Inflation that aids economic growth not a concern: budget chief

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 29 09:51 AM

Inflation will return to 'normal levels,' within the government's 2 to 4 percent target by 2019 after it peaks by the third quarter this year. Read more »

Economy 'not overheating' as inflation seen returning to target: Espenilla

Cathy Yang, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 24 03:58 PM

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla speaks exclusively to ANC's The Boss. Read more »

Bangko Sentral doesn't expect inflation to hit 6 or 7 pct

Neil Jerome Morales, Reuters
Posted at Aug 23 05:25 PM

The Philippine central bank does not expect inflation to reach 6 or even 7 percent, and is optimistic that it will ease after peaking either in August or September, its governor said on Thursday. Read more »

Consumers brace for higher interest rates

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 14 11:37 PM

The Philippine central bank's three consecutive rate hikes this year are supposed to discourage unnecessary borrowing, to cut demand and lower inflation.  Read more »

BSP raises inflation forecast for 2018, 2019

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 09 08:48 PM

The BSP raised its inflation forecast for this year to an average of 4.9% from 4.5% announced in June.  Read more »

Bangko Sentral pulls trigger on highest rate hike in 10 years

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 09 05:49 PM

The highest increase in 10 years brought the overnight borrowing rate to 4 percent. It was also the third straight hike this year. The BSP raised rates twice by 25-basis point increments. Read more »

Economic growth slows on drag from Boracay closure, policy steps

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 09 07:13 PM

Gross domestic product grew 6 percent in the second quarter, from 6.8 percent in the previous quarter, snapping 10 straight quarters of at least 6.5 percent growth. Economists polled by Reuters predicted a 6.7-percent expansion. Read more »

Second quarter growth seen steady, 3rd rate hike coming: Reuters poll

Enrico Dela Cruz, Reuters
Updated as of Aug 08 08:33 AM

The Philippine economy probably expanded at a slightly slower pace in the second quarter but that will not stop the central bank from hiking the key interest rate by up to 50 basis points on Thursday to contain mounting inflation, Reuters polls show. Read more »

BOJ's architect of 'shock and awe' plots retreat from stimulus

Leika Kihara, Reuters
Posted at Aug 07 11:25 AM

The man leading the BOJ away from its program of unprecedented asset-buying and low or negative interest rates is the man who largely crafted the measures in the first place, bank deputy governor Masayoshi Amamiya. Read more »

Espenilla: Bangko Sentral 'firm' in meeting inflation target

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 07 09:52 AM

The Monetary Board will meet on Thursday. It raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points twice this year, for a total of 50 points. Second quarter gross domestic product data are also due out on Thursday. Read more »

Fed highlights strong economy, leaves rate untouched

Heather Scott, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Aug 02 07:57 AM

Financial markets already expect an increase in the benchmark lending rate in September but the Fed's word choices are likely to solidify expectations for a fourth hike in December. Read more »

Mnuchin reaffirms Fed's independence after Trump complaints on rates

Douglas Gillison, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Jul 30 08:33 AM

Presidents usually refrain from public comment on the Fed's business, but that did not stop Trump from publicly chastising the bank earlier this month. Read more »