MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Corp. is ready to cough up about P19.5 billion to buy back shares from public investors, as it moves closer to an expanded tie-up with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. The homegrown conglomerate on Wednesday said it plans to launch a voluntary tender offer to purchase 30.06 million common shares from all holders. READ:

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), led by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, saw a 12-percent growth in its bottom line in the first three quarters of 2026, thanks largely to greater contribution from its power generation and retail electricity business. At a briefing on Wednesday, Meralco chief financial officer Betty Siy-Yap said the company’s core

The Philippine peso gained its ground against the US dollar, clawing its way back to P63-to-one dollar level during the opening of trading on Thursday.

MANILA, Philippines — Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is keeping its faith in the Philippines as one of its “priority markets,” even as its Japanese parent reassesses its focus on Southeast Asia amid intensifying competition from Chinese automakers. In a statement sent to the Inquirer, MMPC reaffirmed its commitment to the automotive industry in the Philippines,

Firefly has opened its first global standalone store in Bangkok, showcasing an upgraded right-hand-drive EV model and expanding its presence in Thailand's automotive market.

MANILA, Philippines — MGEN Renewables Inc. (MGENR), formerly SP New Energy Corp. or SPNEC, is pushing for its planned secondary public offering after securing board approval for a P4.98-billion asset deal, a step closer to expanding its grip beyond the world’s largest solar farm. The company said on Wednesday that its board of directors had

MANILA, Philippines — The total funds and assets held by Philippine financial institutions climbed to a fresh record high in August, climbing back to the P38-trillion level as lenders continued to expand credit and attract deposits despite challenges confronting the economy. Excluding the funds and assets of the central bank, the total resources of the financial

Private equity veteran Ramon Lo has bought two ground-floor shops on Swatow Street in Wan Chai for HK$32.5 million (US$4.1 million), at a time when prices in the district remain about one-third below previous levels. Land Registry records showed that the properties were acquired by Smart Golden Co, whose director is Lo, a partner and executive director at private equity and advisory firm Symphony Capital Partners. Lo, a descendant of the Lo Hin-shing family, whose patriarch was among Hong Kong’s...

Delta Electronics (Thailand) reported a 42.4% Q3 2026 sales growth to THB 75,801 million, driven by AI demand, though net profit fell short of estimates, rising 4.3% to THB 7,757 million.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) warned of considerable uncertainty over the path of US interest rates as it kept its base rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent on Thursday, hours after the US Federal Reserve also held its benchmark rate steady. The Hong Kong dollar could continue to weaken due to the gap between Hong Kong and US interest rates, as that would lead carry trade activity, the HKMA said in a statement on Thursday. In carry trades, investors borrow in low-interest currencies to...

In September, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year plan along with his policy address, highlighting Hong Kong’s strategic role in promoting the greater use of the yuan outside mainland China as a key priority. In the third part of a four-part series on the globalisation of the yuan, Xinmei Shen explores how Hong Kong is testing the interoperability of the e-CNY and other digital assets in an effort to broaden the currency’s international appeal. In a US Senate...

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now studying whether to expand its One-Time Abatement Program for Micro Taxpayers after noting a strong response to it. In a statement on Wednesday, the BIR pointed out that, in the four months since the program was established, it has recorded 3,929 beneficiaries and P266.79

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration underscores mining’s strategic importance as Mining Philippines 2026 draws international participation. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, who delivered President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s keynote message to the conference, joins Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman Michael Toledo (right) in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Conrad

MANILA, Philippines — The government has ordered telecom firms in the Philippines to strengthen checks on subscribers with many registered SIM cards to prevent illicit activities like scams. In a statement, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it gave mobile network operators 15 days from receipt of order to conduct additional verification of subscribers with more

29 October 2026 | Thailand, ASEAN and Global Markets Today’s briefing focuses on Thailand’s industrial recovery, renewed energy-price risks, Southeast Asia’s clean-energy supply chains, the AI-driven stock rally and Indonesia’s financial-market reforms. Thailand’s car production falls 6.1% as manufacturing recovery remains uneven Thailand’s car production fell 6.08% year on year to 120,319 vehicles in September, […]

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Corp. seeks to buy back up to P19.5 billion worth of shares from public investors as it advances a planned deal with Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corp. On Wednesday, the group said it plans to launch a voluntary tender offer to buy 30.06 million common shares from all holders. READ: Mitsubishi to raise

MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks fell on Wednesday as higher oil prices and a weakening peso stoked inflation concerns, while elevated treasury yields dampened demand for equities. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) slid 1.87 percent, or 107.64 points, to close at 5,653.55. READ: Red hot inflation seen extending BSP hikes Michael Ricafort, chief economist

MANILA, Philippines — A Mandaluyong regional trial court dismissed a petition for indirect contempt filed against several members of the Lopez majority bloc over alleged violations of a temporary retraining order linked to the controversial family feud. On Wednesday, Lopez Holdings Corp. said in a regulatory filing that it submitted a copy of the Oct.

Leading Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics on Wednesday reported a 69.93 per cent year-on-year increase in quarterly revenue to 665 million yuan (US$99.7 million), though net profits excluding non-recurring items fell 17.42 per cent to 105 million yuan, as the company released its first earnings since going public. The results for the three months ending September 30 showed a continued surge in research and development spending by the Hangzhou-based company, which jumped 249.58 per cent...

Over 1,900 cargoes and goods seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) or abandoned by supposed recipients, including P1.2 billion worth of confiscated vehicles, have not been entered into the records of the BOC"s Auction and Cargo Disposal Management Division, the Commission on Audit (COA) said.

For over a decade, Federal Land’s Marco Polo Residences in Cebu has offered a tranquil living environment for residents seeking elevated city living. Located atop Nivel Hills, it is Cebu’s first branded residence, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and coastline. Its location directly beside Marco Polo Plaza Cebu also gives residents convenient access

Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of MVP Group which has interests in telecommunications, infrastructure, and utilities, on Friday said it will get tougher for the Philippine economy but added that the conglomerate will proceed with its investments.

CEBU, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) policy rate was raised to 5.5 percent on Oct. 22, the fourth hike this year. September inflation accelerated to 7.2 percent, and the Philippine Statistics Authority put second-quarter gross domestic product growth at 2.3 percent, the weakest since 2021. Central Visayas inflation, meanwhile, ran at 8.1 percent

CEBU, Philippines — Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro and Nestor Archival pulled off upset victories against their more politically entrenched and moneyed rivals during the 2025 elections mainly due to Cebuanos’ ardent desire for change. Cebuanos wanted a fresh perspective and a chance to alter the narrative of their home city and province by having new leaders

Cebu has a little bit of everything any tourist could ask for: breathtaking beaches, mountain trails, majestic waterfalls, historic landmarks and a distinctive culinary tradition. You name it. The province packs a remarkable range of experiences into one trip. It is, after all, the “Gateway to a Thousand Journeys.” Now, Cebu wants to make that

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu needs to chart a new course for economic growth, and one that moves beyond its traditional strengths to build a more competitive, resilient and investment-ready economy. With growth slowing and businesses grappling with rising operating costs, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is pushing for closer collaboration between the

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has retained its position as the Philippines’ Strongest Bank for the sixth year in a row, with The Asian Banker (TAB) recognizing the Bank’s performance across key measures of financial strength, asset quality, liquidity, and risk management. “Our strength comes from the trust our customers place in us and

CEBU, Philippines — For generations, Carbon Market in Cebu City has been more than a place of trade. It has been a living landmark where livelihoods are built, traditions are passed from one generation to the next and countless stories of Cebu unfold every day. Today, that legacy enters a new chapter with the rise of

CEBU, Philippines — In just 48 hours, you can journey through the past and present of the Queen City of the South, from centuries-old churches and historic streets to bustling markets and hilltop views. A day exploring Cebu City can begin among the historic landmarks of the downtown district, continue through the food stalls and trading aisles

Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices fell 0.8 per cent in the third quarter, their first quarterly decline after five quarters of gains, as a September rebound failed to fully offset a summer slowdown in the residential market. Prices rose 0.19 per cent in September from August, marking a second consecutive monthly increase, according to data released by the Rating and Valuation Department on Wednesday. The index reached 320.8, but remained 19.4 per cent below its September 2021 peak. Prices were...