<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>GLOBAL: The US consumer price index rose to 3.7% year-on-year in September </strong>as gasoline costs skyrocketed amid elevated global oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Market impact: Surging inflation data triggered a downturn in US equities</strong> and a rally in the dollar.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Persistent energy supply disruptions,</strong> compounded by sticky core services and shelter costs, are projected to keep inflation elevated in the near term.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>LOCAL: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that El Niño has now affected over 451,000 people, with damages reaching PHP 6.5 million.&nbsp;</strong></span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Market impact: The PSEi plummeted amid persistent sell-offs,</strong> while bond yields edged higher as markets priced in a rate hike. The peso softened ahead of key US inflation data.</span></p>

<p><span data-teams="true"><strong>A severe El Niño is projected to intensify between September and December </strong>and persist through the first quarter of 2027.</span></p>