Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
The Philippines’ annual inflation rate slowed to 1.3% in May, edging just below April’s 1.4% and marking the lowest level since November 2019, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Thursday.
The latest reading aligns closely with economists’ expectations, as a Reuters poll had forecast a 1.3% inflation rate for the month. It also falls within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s projected range of 0.9% to 1.7%, reinforcing market views that inflation remains under control.
A key factor in the decline was the slower increase in housing, water, electricity, and fuel costs, which helped ease consumer price pressures across the country. Despite continued volatility in global markets, domestic inflationary trends appear to be stabilizing.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and energy, stood at 2.2% in May. While slightly higher than headline inflation, this measure suggests that underlying price pressures remain relatively moderate and manageable.
The lower inflation print strengthens expectations that the BSP may maintain its current policy stance for now, as it balances price stability with the need to support economic growth.
The cooling inflation rate is a positive signal for Filipino consumers, especially amid concerns about rising living costs in previous months. With essential items like utilities and fuel showing a slower pace of increase, households may experience slight relief in their monthly expenses.
The May inflation data reinforces confidence in the government’s inflation management and is likely to influence the central bank’s future monetary policy decisions.
The next policy move will depend on whether inflation continues to stay within the target band in the coming months, especially as the global economy remains uncertain.
