The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Pop star Coco Martin and fellow actor Ihman Esturco have gone a long way, indeed. ​Aside from being friends, Coco and Ihman are artists in their own right. Coco is a multimedia director and Ihman is a professional photographer not only in the Philippines but in the US where he is based. ​Martin and Esturco enjoy each other’s company by …

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) has released the names of 16 financial institutions that it recognizes as Primary Dealers (PDs) of government securities for the year 2026. In a memorandum dated December 23, 2025, signed by National Treasurer Sharon Almanza, the BTr announced the list of qualified Government Securities Eligible Dealers (GSEDs) under the PD System. The designation grants …

Bigger and more established banks cannot do this: offer eight percent interest on time deposit. But Salmon Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. is offering this product under its “Bank on Eight” promo. Salmon’s “Bank on Eight” promo promises a promotional interest rate of 8 percent per annum available to clients with Time Deposit placements of at least P1 million for a …

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended 2025 on the red, reversing its rise for the last three sessions, but the Philippine peso finished sideways against the United States dollar. it was reported by the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA). The local bourse’s main index shed 0.21 percent to 6,052.92 points, but the broader All Shares rose 0.25 percent to …

PalawanPay renewed its commitment to the UP Fighting Maroons, highlighting partnership and shared purpose in their pursuit of excellence. PalawanPay, the e-wallet arm of the Palawan Group of Companies, proudly renewed its commitment to the UP Fighting Maroons, reinforcing its role as a steadfast partner in the team’s continued journey toward victory and growth. This renewed alliance reflects PalawanPay’s deep …

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has spearheaded the creation in Southeast Asia of a youth-based multi-sport competition that will help guarantee the preparedness of the region’s athletes for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) and Youth Olympic Games (YOG). To be called the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games or SEA Plus YG, the competitions are designed to be …

SAN Miguel Beer titan June Mar Fajardo is making a strong case for a record-extending 13th Best Player of the Conference plum. At the end of the quarterfinals, Fajardo held pole position in the derby for the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup’s individual award with 45.4 average statistical points built on solid averages of 17.4 points, a league-high 15.3 rebounds, …

Paris Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekić of Croatia and resurgent German veteran Tatjana Maria, ranked No. 45 in the world, head the impressive list of early entries in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open kicking off Jan. 26  at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.   Both were on the provisional list of 24 players released over the weekend by the Women’s Tennis Association in …

ONLY on the second day into the new year, and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has lined up two major international events up for the country’s hosting in late 2027 and early 2028. A day after announcing the Philippines’ inaugural hosting of the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games or SEA Plus YG, POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said that also …

GOLDEN boy Carlos Yulo and tennis darling Alex Eala lead the major contenders vying for the 2025 Athlete of the Year in the coming Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night. The two young stars dazzled their way in the year just passed by reaching new heights in their respective fields in another memorable moments for Philippine sports. In a fitting follow up to his historic …