<p><strong>Bank Indonesia raised its benchmark interest rate by a surprise 50 basis points to 5.25%,</strong> its first hike in two years, to bolster the weakening rupiah.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The People’s Bank of China kept its one-year loan prime rate at 3.00% and the five-year rate at 3.50% in May 2026, </strong>marking the 12th consecutive month of unchanged lending benchmarks. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The Department of Agriculture directed the Bureau of Customs to impose extra duties on 21 agricultural imports, including frozen poultry, </strong>pork, coffee, and onions, after their prices fell below trigger thresholds.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Philippine stocks fell for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday,</strong> as investor sentiment remained dampened by worries over the Middle East conflict’s economic impact.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The Philippine peso edged slightly higher to PHP 61.74 per US dollar on Wednesday,</strong> gaining one centavo from the previous record-low close, as traders remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainties and awaited US Fed minutes.&nbsp;</p>