The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Insular Life (InLife) recently released its research paper:Retire Without Worries: Your Roadmap to Living Life to the Fullest, shedding light on the urgent need for robust retirement planning in the Philippines. The study highlights the increasing challenges faced by Filipino retirees amidst a growing population of senior citizens, soaring health care costs, and limited support for the elders. The white paper …

ArenaPlus, your 24/7 sports entertainment platform, joined the celebration of Pinoy pride as Filipino athletes and Olympians gathered for the annual San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Monday, January 28, at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel. The PSA is the oldest media organization in the Philippines, with membership consists of sportswriters and editors from various …

A brand-new Porsche 911 Carrera S worth PHP 18 million took center stage on January 20, 2025, as Landers Superstore awarded the grand prize to one lucky member during its Shop & Win Grand Draw. The awarding of the luxury car was the highlight of Landers’ 8th Anniversary celebration, held at its Arca South branch. The event brought together loyal …

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has lured its second industrial park developer for New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. In a statement released Thursday, BCDA announced that Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. (SPPI) has been awarded a 50-year lease contract to develop a 100-hectare industrial park within the New Clark City. The project, which is estimated to …

The Philippine economy recorded a 5.2 percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, making it the third-fastest growing economy in the region despite facing challenges like geopolitical tensions and a series of typhoons. This growth brought the country’s overall economic expansion for the year to 5.6 percent. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon acknowledged that the …

The Philippine tobacco industry likely generated USD7.3 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. He made this announcement during the second day of the International Tobacco Agricultural Summit at SEDA Vertis North in Quezon City. Lumagui noted that the local tobacco sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of …

A financial close has been reached for the joint acquisition deal involving the country’s largest power companies, owned by prominent tycoons Manuel V. Pangilinan, Sabin Aboitiz, and Ramon S. Ang, for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. In a statement last week, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced that its subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), along with San Miguel Global Power …

Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has launched its first “phygital” branch in Metro Manila, combining physical and digital banking services to enhance customer experience. In a statement on Friday, LandBank announced that the Makati Business Center – Ayala Avenue Phygital Branch opened on January 30 at Robinsons Summit Center in Makati City. This modernized branch integrates digital innovations with …

Most banks upheld their existing credit standards in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Findings from the Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS), released on Friday, revealed that the majority of surveyed banks kept their lending policies unchanged for both business and consumer loans, based on the modal approach. However, using the diffusion …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million policy-based loan to support the Philippine government’s efforts in expanding labor market programs and boosting workforce skills. According to the ADB, the Business and Employment Recovery Program-Subprogram 2 aims to equip Filipino workers with industry-relevant skills, enhance women’s participation in the labor force through technical and vocational education and training …