Peso rebounds before key data

The peso recovered against the dollar on Wednesday as players await the release of key economic data in the United States and at home.

The local unit closed at PHP 57.30 per dollar, strengthening by 21 centavos from its PHP 57.51 finish on Tuesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Wednesday’s session flat at PHP 57.51 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at its closing level of PHP 57.30, while its worst showing was at PHP 57.55.

Dollars exchanged dropped to USD 1.37 billion on Wednesday from USD 1.92 billion on Tuesday.

The peso rose on profit taking before the release of the latest US jobs reports in the coming days and Philippine August inflation data on Friday, a trader said in a phone interview.

US nonfarm payrolls on Friday will be preceded by data on job openings and private payrolls, offering an update on the labor market that has become the focus of policy debate at the Federal Reserve, Reuters reported.

Markets widely expect the Fed to lower interest rates later this month, pricing in an 89% chance of a 25-basis-point cut.

The dollar edged 0.1% lower at 98.30 against a basket of currencies, having gained 0.66% on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts yielded a median estimate of 1.3% for the August consumer price index, picking up from 0.9% in July but slower than the 3.3% clip in August 2024.

If realized, August would mark the sixth month in a row that inflation was below the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2-4% annual target. It would also be within the central bank’s 1-1.8% projection for the month.

The peso was also supported by expectations of a rate cut by the Fed at its policy meeting this month, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Thursday, the trader sees the peso moving between PHP 57.20 and PHP 57.50, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from PHP 57.20 to PHP 57.40. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with Reuters