<p><strong>The Bank of Canada is seen to keep interest rates unchanged throughout 2026,</strong> showing patience with energy-driven inflation unless it becomes persistent and broad based, a Bloomberg survey showed.</p>

<p><strong>China’s fiscal spending rose 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 to CNY 7.47 trillion (USD 1.09 trillion),</strong> the fastest pace in years, as Beijing front-loaded expenditure to spur growth.</p>

<p><strong>Gold prices are on track for their first weekly decline in a month, </strong>weighed by a stronger US dollar and surging oil prices that have fanned inflation concerns and expectations of prolonged high interest rates.</p>

<p><strong>The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could raise rates by up to 50 basis points in 2026 </strong>to counter oil-driven inflation pressure, according to analysts’ views collated by BusinessWorld.</p>

<p><strong>Philippine business confidence plunged to its lowest level in over 25 years in March,</strong> according to a BSP survey, reflecting mounting concerns over inflation, high oil prices, and global uncertainties.</p>