Companies

Foreign investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) surged by 33.5 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching around ₱154.7 billion from nearly ₱115.9 billion in the same period last year. In a statement last week, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the approvals, covering 215 projects, highlight “enduring investor confidence in the Philippines” and keep …

Starbucks announced Thursday that it will slash nearly 900 non-retail jobs and close dozens of stores in North America as part of a restructuring plan to curb costs. The US-based coffee giant said its company-operated store count in the region will shrink by about 1% in fiscal year 2025, bringing the total to nearly 18,300 outlets across the US and …

Two subsidiaries of D&L Industries, Inc. have secured a two-year extension of their Income Tax Holiday (ITH) for their manufacturing facilities in Tanauan, Batangas. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, D&L said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) granted Pioneer Status to D&L Premium Foods Corp. (DLPF) and Natural Aeropack Corporation (NAC), moving their ITH expiry …

Warehouse club chain Makro is set to return to the Philippines after Ayala Corporation sealed a partnership with Thailand’s CP AXTRA, a leading wholesale and retail operator in Southeast Asia. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange last week, Ayala said it has formed M&Co Corporation, a joint venture between its unit AXC Holdings Corp. and CP AXTRA subsidiary …

The Philippines is emerging as a strong player in the booming global wellness economy, and the SM Group has announced its plans to position itself to meet growing demand by expanding access to health, beauty, and wellness products. Citing Global Wellness Institute data, SM noted that the global wellness economy is projected to reach nearly USD 9 trillion by 2028, …

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has extended to Dec. 31 the registration deadline for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, giving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) more time to comply. DTI Secretary Cristina Roque stressed the badge is meant to protect legitimate businesses from scammers and boost consumer confidence. “The Trustmark is not a regulation to burden businesses but …

The Philippines has reached its highest-ever spot in the Global Innovation Index (GII), climbing to 50th place out of 139 economies in the 2025 report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on Thursday said the milestone surpasses the government’s 2025 target of 52nd place under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. …

Government agencies nationwide are now mandated to use energy-efficient products and prioritize the installation of solar rooftop systems to cut electricity consumption and accelerate the shift to clean energy. The Department of Energy (DOE), which chairs the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC), said the directive was approved during the committee’s Sept. 16 meeting as part of the Government …

Positive investor sentiment continued to buoy the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) on Friday, while the peso managed to hold steady against the US dollar. The main index rose 0.50 percent to 6,264.49 points, while the All Shares gained 0.17 percent to 3,740.81 points. Three sectoral indices also closed in the green: Financials climbed 2.01 percent, Services rose 0.49 percent, …

Global superstar, actor, and philanthropist Nick Jonas has teamed up with leading watch and accessories brand FOSSIL for a bold and nostalgic new collection, launching August 20, 2025. Each limited-edition timepiece blends Jonas’ passion for watch collecting, his distinct personal style and Fossil’s decades-long design heritage to deliver styles that are both timeless and distinctly modern—all while reinvigorating customers’ love …