<p><strong>Wall Street stocks slipped while the dollar strengthened as rising US inflation and higher oil prices,</strong> fueled by fading hopes for a Middle East peace deal, dampened investor sentiment.</p>

<p><strong>German investor morale unexpectedly strengthened in May </strong>but remains subdued as economic strains from high energy prices, inflation, and geopolitical risks persist.</p>

<p><strong>The peso weakened to PHP 61.48 per dollar on May 12,</strong> its lowest in nearly two weeks, as investors shifted to the dollar amid rising oil prices and uncertainty over US–Iran talks.</p>

<p><strong>Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show that Philippine bank lending grew at its fastest pace</strong> in seven months in March, expanding 9.5% year-on-year as credit demand strengthened despite lingering inflationary pressures.</p>

<p><strong>The Civil Aeronautics Board cut passenger fuel surcharges for May 16–31 from Level 18 to Level 15,</strong> but still, jet fuel prices remain volatile.</p>