The Philippine construction industry presented contrasting trends at the start of the year, with a significant drop in building permits but strong growth in construction value and floor area, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Approved building permits fell sharply by 14.6% year-on-year to just 12,526 in January 2025, continuing […]

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) hosted a business seminar and luncheon in Manila on February 14, spotlighting the role of fintech and logistics in strengthening economic ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines. The event, titled “Building a Stronger Future: The Synergistic Power of Fintech and Logistics,” also celebrated […]

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) opened the year on a positive trajectory, closing at 6,550.39 on Tuesday, up 21.60 points or 0.33%. Market activity saw mixed movements as advances (94) narrowly trailed declines (97), while 47 stocks remained unchanged. Total market value stood at P3.2 billion, reflecting a moderate trading session. Foreign investors posted […]

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is strengthening its foothold in the country’s fixed-income market with a deal to acquire a majority stake in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation (PDS). In a statement, the stock market operator announced it signed an agreement on December 26, 2024, to purchase an additional 61.92% of PDS, increasing […]

Counterfeiting remains a significant concern in the country, with the Philippine peso ranking as the sixth most counterfeited currency worldwide. A study by BestBrokers, a market information provider, found that over 59,000 fake Philippine peso bills were seized as of June 2021. With an estimated P4.3 billion in circulation in 2023, that translates to 14 […]

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) broke its seven-day losing streak on Friday, edging up 0.17% or 10.78 points to close at 6,406.38 as investors hunted for bargains. Despite the modest recovery, the benchmark PSEi ended the week in negative territory, shedding 3.18%. The All Shares index also declined, finishing the week at 3,675.83 points, […]

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is rolling out the First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series, introducing new P50, P100, P500, and P1,000 bills starting January 2025. These polymer notes, which already include the P1,000 bill released in April 2022, feature advanced anti-counterfeiting technology, making them a smarter, cleaner, and stronger alternative to traditional paper money. […]

Global central banks recorded net gold purchases of 60 tons in October, the highest monthly total in 2024, according to the latest data from the World Gold Council (WGC). The surge in buying was led by India, Turkey, and Poland. In contrast, the Philippines emerged as a significant seller during the period, offloading approximately 5 […]

Gold mining continues to be a significant economic contributor in the Philippines, with the industry injecting over $407 million into the national economy in 2023, according to the latest data from the World Gold Council (WGC).  The Philippines, a key player in global gold production and home to major WGC members like B2Gold and OceanaGold, […]

The construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP), a long-delayed multibillion-peso project, is set to begin by the end of 2024, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Maritime Sector Elmer Francisco Sarmiento. The civil works contract for the project was awarded last week to South Korea’s HJ Shipbuilding and Construction Corporation […]