<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>GLOBAL: New York Federal Reserve (Fed) President John Williams said that while one final rate hike is appropriate in 2026,&nbsp;</strong>the Fed will likely hold rates steady in 2027 as inflationary pressures begin to ease.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Market impact: US equities rebounded following Williams’ remarks.&nbsp;</strong>Treasury yields and the dollar declined as global energy markets stabilized.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Metrobank forecasts continued Fed rate hikes through year-end</strong>, followed by potential cuts in the latter part of 2027 as inflation recedes.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>LOCAL: Net foreign direct investment inflows hit a six-month high of USD 689 million in July,&nbsp;though they plunged 44.1% year-on-year amid investor caution driven by economic uncertainty.</strong></span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Market impact:&nbsp;The PSEi closed lower on escalating rate hike expectations by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas</strong>, while the peso weakened amid Middle East geopolitical tensions.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Investor sentiment remains fragile amid ongoing uncertainty</strong> surrounding global growth, interest rates, and geopolitics.</span></p>