<p><strong>GLOBAL: The US launched Operation Economic Outcast to target Iran's revenue streams, </strong>including oil, and prevent global nations and corporations from engaging with Tehran.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Market impact: US equities declined while the dollar strengthened </strong>following the announcement of new US sanctions against Iran.</p>

<p><strong>Iran dismissed the threats, arguing that the US lacks the economic leverage to dictate global trade </strong>and that Iran's trading partners have assured that they will ignore the sanctions.</p>

<p><strong>LOCAL: Moody's Ratings has affirmed the Philippines’ investment-grade credit rating at Baa2. However, Moody's noted that the economy is currently experiencing a cyclical slowdown.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Market impact: The PSEi rose on late-session buying, </strong>while the peso weakened ahead of the BSP meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Moody’s maintained its stable outlook on the Philippines, </strong>indicating that the country's credit standing is expected to remain steady over the next 12 to 18 months.</p>