The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) posted strong gains in the first quarter of 2025, with total revenues reaching P28.07 billion—an 11.2% increase from P25.24 billion in the same period last year. Driving this surge was PAGCOR’s core gaming operations, which contributed P25.52 billion. The Electronic Games and E-Bingo segment emerged as the top earner, generating P14.32 billion or …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to reduce interest rates on calamity loans issued by the Social Security System (SSS) is part of a broader effort to ease the financial strain on Filipinos and contribute to poverty alleviation, Malacañang said Friday. Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a media briefing that the measure, set to …

The Philippine manufacturing sector rebounded strongly in April as new orders and output rose, according to S&P Global. In its latest report released Friday, S&P Global said the country’s manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) climbed to 53 in April, indicating an improvement in business conditions.  This marked a turnaround from March’s reading of 49.4, which had signaled a slight contraction. …

Inflation likely dropped to 1.6% in April, continuing its downward trend from 1.8% in March, driven largely by cheaper food items, according to an economist. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said last week that several recent policy moves and market conditions helped temper price increases. “The initial implementation of the maximum suggested retail price of imported rice …

Enstack, a leading no-code eCommerce and growth platform for SMEs in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, has joined forces with Dyna.Ai to roll out highly localized AI-powered solutions aimed at simplifying and scaling business operations for entrepreneurs across the region. With Southeast Asia’s digital economy rapidly expanding, the role of AI in driving business growth is becoming increasingly evident.  According …

Fitch Ratings’ decision to maintain the Philippines’ “BBB” credit rating with a stable outlook reflects global investor confidence in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic management, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In a Palace briefing on Friday, DOF Assistant Secretary Neil Cabiles said that ordinary Filipinos stand to benefit from Fitch’s latest credit review, which reinforces the country’s …

Philippine National Bank’s (PSE: PNB) Profit Peso Bond Fund was recognized as one of the Best Managed Funds for 2025 under the Intermediate Term Bond Funds using pure FVPL valuation category. The award was presented at the “Vision 2025: Market Forecast and Fund Excellence” event hosted by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of the Philippines at Discovery Primea, Makati …

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) recorded a net income of P19.7 billion in Q1 2025, vs. P18.5 billion for the comparable period a year ago, driven by sustained performance across its core businesses. Return on Average Common Equity (ROCE) was at 13.8% for the period. Gross Customer Loans grew by 12% to P3.3 trillion, reflecting broad-based growth across all market segments. …

Highlighting its growing contribution to advancing the Philippine capital market, LANDBANK was honored as one of the top-performing institutions at the 2025 Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards Night. The state-run bank clinched 3rd place in the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers – Bank Category, in recognition of its vital role in facilitating the issuance of corporate fixed-income securities in …

As part of  this year’s Earth Day celebration, East Zone concessionaire Manila Water highlights the power of collective effort in safeguarding our one and only Earth. Through its annual Earth Day running event, “Lakbay Kalikasan Earth Day Fun Run,” Manila Water, in collaboration with Manila Water Foundation (MWF), showcased the beauty of Metro Manila’s last ecological frontier, the La Mesa …