<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs Wednesday,</strong> lifted by strong corporate earnings and optimism over US-Iran talks, with the Nasdaq rebounding to a new peak just days after a correction thanks to gains in software and tech stocks.</span><br><span data-teams="true">&nbsp;</span></p>

<ul><li data-list-item-id="e561c336e4f09865388e475024704c29e"><strong>The Trump administration voiced optimism about ending the war with Iran.</strong> However, harsher economic pressure may ensue amid a newly enforced shipping blockade and reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.</li></ul>

<ul><li data-list-item-id="eed2c042f07cf1d0f7a405abba41020fd"><span data-teams="true"><strong>The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signaled it may raise interest rates to counter mounting inflation and growth pressures from the energy crisis,</strong> Middle East conflict, and last year’s corruption scandal, while relying on government spending to soften the slowdown.</span></li></ul>

<ul><li data-list-item-id="efdaecbce1d5f7b3828dff7f516046e2d"><strong>Cash remittances from overseas Filipino workers fell</strong> to a nine‑month low in February 2026 at USD 2.79 billion, down 7.7% from January, though still up 2.6% year‑on‑year, with analysts attributing the dip to seasonal factors and higher living costs abroad.</li></ul>

<ul><li data-list-item-id="e0e2d98af6c94bd72e269690eccdc8b9d"><strong>The Department of Energy said local fuel prices may decline further next week,</strong> with diesel possibly dropping by PHP 14 to PHP 16 per liter and gasoline by PHP 1 to PHP 2, as global oil benchmarks continue trending lower despite US military activity near the Strait of Hormuz.</li></ul>