Insights

Inside the Philippines: November 2024

Macro Movements: Philippine economy ranks 2nd fastest in SE Asia, strengthening amid economic reforms

Amro expects the Philippines to be SEA’s second-fastest growing economy in 2024 and 2025 amid easing policy rates/strong> Philippine economy continues to drive growth with strategic reforms and strong labor force

Startup Watch: Philippine fintech startups secure major funding to drive innovation in underserved markets

AI-powered fintech OneLot raises $4 million to support used car market growth
Salmon raises $30 million with plans to boost its lending products

Deals Spotlight: Mitsubishi boosts GCash IPO prospects; Phinma Education expands with KKR investment

Ayala Corporation’s stake sale to Mitsubishi boosts GCash IPO prospects and expands global reach KKR leads Php2.52 billion investment to strengthen Phinma Education’s reach and system improvements

Download the full report

Inside the Philippines: October 2024

Macro Movements: World Bank projects 5.9% GDP growth for PHL; US Federal Reserve cuts rates by 50 bps

World Bank expects an average 5.9% growth for the country as easing interest rates may boost domestic consumption US Federal Reserve lowers benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point, the first cut in 4.5 years

Business Movements: Bicam approves CREATE MORE bill; Japanese firms keen on further expansion in PHL

Bicameral Conference Committee approves the CREATE MORE bill
Five Japanese firms express keen interest to enter new investments in the Philippines

Deals Spotlight: ALI raises P2.72 billion from block sale; KKR, GIC hire banks to sell 80% stake in Metro Pacific Health

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) raises P2.72 billion after selling 75 million common shares of AREIT at P36.2 pesos per share KKR & Co. and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC hire banks to sell majority stake in $3.2 billion Metro Pacific Health

Download the full report

Inside the Philippines: September 2024

Macro Movements: Philippine economy to lead ASEAN in growth

Moody’s Rating affirms Baa2 investment grade rating for the Philippines S&P Global Ratings maintains a 5.8% growth forecast for the Philippines' GDP in 2024

Industry Insights: Malampaya invests US$180M in expansion; SBMA plans five projects worth P41.4B

Malampaya consortium investing an additional US$180 million to extend production life
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority aims for P41.4 billion investments across five projects by 2028

Deal Spotlight: Local startups on Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” list; KKR begins sale of stake in Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings

Philippine local startups Lista, Mober and Zed included in Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” list KKR-led consortium reportedly starts the sale process of 42.5% stake in Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings

Download the full report

Inside the Philippines: August 2024

Macro Movements: Philippine economy to lead ASEAN in growth

Domestic demand expected to fuel Philippine GDP

Business Movements: Marcos declares POGO ban effective immediately; Clark attracts expansion from global firms

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bans Philippine offshore gaming operators
Three global logistics firms to expand their operations in Clark

Industry Insights: Digital payments now dominating the Philippine retail sector

Majority of retail payments are now done through digital channels

Deal Spotlight: Philippine casino firm reported to raise USD 200 million; ZUS Coffee to gain PHP 3 billion investment

Philippine casino firm Hann is said to mull USD 200 million IPO
KV Asia Capital expected to invest in ZUS Coffee

Download the full report

Inside the Philippines: July 2024

Macro Movements: S&P Global ranks PHL as second-fastest growing economy in Asia; IMF expects easing inflation

S&P Global expects the Philippines to post the second-fastest growth in Asia-Pacific region this year with 5.8% growth IMF predicts inflation to decline to 3.4% in 2024 and predicts stronger growth in 2025

Region in Focus: CIAC to develop national food hub; BCDA announces plans for the Clark Integrated Public Transport

CIAC taps global food tech companies, Food Starter and World Food Chain, to develop Clark National Food Hub
BCDA plans to bid out concession for the Clark Integrated Public Transport System by end of 2024

Deals Spotlight: DALI secures $8.4mn investment commitment from DEG; CREC successfully completes IPO

DEG to invest $8.4m in Philippine discount grocery chain DALI Stores
Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) completes IPO, securing US$12.5 million from UK Fund Mobilist

Download the full report

Inside the Philippines: June 2024

Macro Movements: Philippines expected to grow by 5.9% in 2024; Inflation picks-up at 3.9% in May 2024

World Bank expects Philippines to grow by 5.8% this year and 5.9% in 2025 Philippine Inflation picks-up to 3.9% for the month of May 2024

Industry Insights: North-South Commuter Rail operational by 2026; Samar BioSPV leads largest reforestation effort

North-South Commuter Railway at 60% completion and may start operation by 2026
Samar BioSPV leads the country's largest reforestation effort and supports the development of a carbon credit framework

Deals Spotlight: Ayala Crops exits Manila Water for P 14.5 billion; Lhoopa secures USD 12.5 million in Series B funding

Digital economy continues to grow, supported by investments in enabling infrastructure and e-commerce platforms
E-commerce Sustains Pandemic-driven Growth Momentum supported by Zalora and Ninja Van

Market Movers: Growth indicated by Nasdaq listing and fostered by pioneering seawater hydropower infrastructure

Ayala Corp. sells P 14.5 billion stake in Manila Water to subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure
Lhoopa raises USD 12.5 million in the first close of its Series B funding

Download the full report