Page 2 - Jun Neri News Today

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept its policy rate unchanged in May, a first since the central bank unleashed aggressive rate hikes last year to combat inflation. 

After raising key policy rates nine times since May last year, most economists are convinced that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is set to step on the brakes of its tightening cycle.

After raising key policy rates nine times since May last year, most economists are convinced that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is set to step on the brakes of its tightening cycle.

The Philippine economy grew at a slower pace in the first quarter, but a softening inflation turnout has convinced some economists that full-year growth in 2023 could be higher than what was earlier expected.

The Philippine economy grew at a slower pace in the first quarter, but a softening inflation turnout has convinced some economists that full-year growth in 2023 could be higher than what was earlier expected.

GlobalSource country analyst for the Philippines Romeo Bernardo said the latest inflation projection for 2023 was lower than the think tank's forecast three months ago

New York-based GlobalSource Partners now expects inflation to settle within the 5.5 to six percent range, after easing to an eight-month low of 6.6 percent in April.

The latest outturn fell squarely with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas inflation projection in April.

Economists believe that inflation further cooled for the third straight month in April after easing to a six-month low of 7.6 percent in March from 8.6 percent in February.

The door opened further for a possible pause in the tightening cycle of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as early as next month after inflation cooled to a six-month low of 7.6 percent in March from 8.6 percent in February.