Your Morning Fix

• Driven by holiday food costs, Philippine inflation rose to 1.8% in December, though the annual average dropped to near ten-year low of 1.7%.
• Bangko Sentral ng PilipinasGovernor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. Said a policy rate cut is “on the table” in the February 2026 Monetary Board meeting, as further easing could support sluggish economic growth.
• Philippine manufacturing output hit a seven-month low in November, falling 1.5% year-on-year decline, as weak domestic consumption and export demand reversed the previous month’s growth.
• Driven by geopolitical instability following the US capture of Venezuela’s president, gold prices rose 0.8% on Tuesday, as investors sought safe-haven assets while awaiting key US labor data for clues on future interest rate moves.
• Global stocks climbed to record peaks, and the dollar strengthened Tuesday, as investors looked toward upcoming economic data to clarify the US Federal Reserve’s future interest rate path.