The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Ed Javier / Where I stand Last week, we wrote about the dilapidated state of the Metro Rail Transit-Line 3 (MRT-3) and the never-ending misery of commuters, despite the P57-million monthly maintenance budget and billions of pesos the railway system receives from the national government.

The bourse index surged to a fresh all-time high last Friday, its 19th record for this year, on the back of good earnings reports and tracking the uptrend in the United States market.

Listed International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) reported a consolidated profit of $182 million, up six percent from the $172.4 million profit a year ago.

Jerry Maglunog Most rural banks (RBs) collapse due to mismanagement and cruel dynasty led by kin who run the bank, according to Sen. Sergio Osmena III, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions.

Beijing — China announced a lower economic growth target for this year and promised to open more industries to foreign investors as it tries to make its slowing, state-dominated economy more productive.

Washington—As the Great Recession inflicted worsening damage on the US economy, the Federal Reserve struggled during 2009 to determine the best corrective steps to pursue.

London—The British government has agreed to sell its stake in Eurostar, the high-speed rail service that connects London with Paris and Brussels through a tunnel under the English Channel, for 757 million pounds ($1.1 billion), a move that’s prompted accusations that it is selling the family silver.

Canberra, Australia—Australian authorities are clamping down on wealthy foreigners illegally buying real estate, ordering a Chinese billionaire to sell a Sydney mansion he recently bought for $30 million, a minister said on Wednesday. The billionaire, Hui Ka Yan, 56, is chairman of Hong Kong-listed real estate developer Evergrande Real Estate Group, which is based in Guangzhou, China. He is listed …

Two of Formula One’s top drivers have made lucrative moves to new teams in 2015, so fans might think there will be a shake-up to last season’s established order. They would be wrong.

Tokyo —The final decision on which new sports will be added to the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics won’t be made until August 2016—a year later than originally planned.