<p><strong>GLOBAL: The US consumer price index (CPI) remained at 3.4% year-on-year in August, </strong>driven largely by stubbornly high shelter costs and a rebound in energy prices.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Market impact: US Treasury yields rose on sticky inflation data, </strong>while stocks advanced amid a clearer Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy outlook.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Inflation is expected to remain sticky. </strong>While the costs of certain core goods are dropping, a spike in global energy and gasoline prices has wiped out those declines. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>LOCAL: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has hinted that it could begin easing its monetary policy as early as next year</strong> if inflation eases faster than expected.</p>

<p><strong>Market impact: The PSEi declined on higher oil prices, while the peso hit a record low of PHP 62.68 per US dollar </strong>amid Fed rate hike expectations.</p>

<p><strong>Metrobank projects further rate hikes this year due to inflation risks like El Niño, </strong>ahead of potential BSP rate cuts in 2027.</p>