The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Dutch central bank governor Klaas Knot found himself amidst some media attention last Tuesday, the 12th February, as he went through a metamorphosis of being a monetary hawk to becoming a dove.

As external challenges remain in the region, merchandise trade growth in the Philippines and in most Asian economies softened in December 2018, the National Economic and Development Authority said.

The Heritage Foundation defines economic freedom as the fundamental right of any person to control his or her own labor and property such that individuals are fee to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please and that governments allow labor, capital, and goods to move freely and refrain from constraining liberty. Economic freedom, in turn, brings greater …

As financial technology (fintech) platforms proliferate, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched a number of initiatives aimed at establishing adequate safeguards to manage the potential risks brought by these new technologies while providing enough room for companies to develop and implement their innovations.

Epson has partnered with two youth-led organizations to help raise awareness on environmental issues as part of its 2018 to 2019 environmental initiatives, in line with its vision to contribute to the development of a sustainable Philippines.

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, excites off-road enthusiasts yearning for more thrill and adventure by unveiling the New CRF250L, now equipped with sportier style upgrades.

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has won The Asset’s Triple A Country Awards 2018 Best Corporate Bond – Philippines for the company’s USD400 million fixed-for-life perpetual securities issued in January last year. 

GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) kicked off this year’s “Bags of Blessing”, a week-long distribution of P10 million worth of food packages to 10,000 families, on February 5 at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. Simultaneous distributions also happened in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Dagupan City; Batangas City; Tagbiliran City; Puerto Princesa City; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; …

The Consortium of Manila Water Company, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Manila Water Philippine Ventures signed a joint venture agreement with Tanauan Water District to implement a project that will improve the provision of water supply and sanitation services in the City of Tanauan in the Province of Batangas.

The German government started the year by lowering the expectations for the GDP growth this year to 1 pct. It comes after several economic organizations have corrected and lowered their expectations. However, 1 pct. is remarkable, as the German central bank has announced shortly before Christmas of a somewhat higher estimate and even predicted rising growth GDP growth rates this …