<p><strong>The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged at 2% but warned that the ongoing war in Iran is driving up energy prices,</strong> worsening inflation, and weighing on eurozone economic growth.</p>

<p><strong>The S&amp;P 500 and Dow futures edged slightly higher on Friday, </strong>after Wall Street closed April with its strongest monthly gains in years, driven by robust corporate earnings and tech sector strength.</p>

<p><strong>Economists anticipate that Philippine economic growth decelerated to 3.4% in the first quarter of 2026,</strong> as high energy prices from Middle East tensions and weakened consumer purchasing power hindered overall momentum.</p>

<p><strong>Economists project that Philippine inflation surged to a 31-month high of 5.5% in April 2026,</strong> driven by soaring fuel and electricity costs, rising food prices, and a record-low peso.</p>

<p><strong>The Philippine government's total borrowings fell by nearly 40% to PHP 212 billion in March</strong> due to a significant reduction in domestic financing, despite a slight increase in external debt.</p>