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January 2024 Updates: Staying the course in early 2024
For 2024, we reiterate our view for USD/PHP to trade within a lower range on the expectation of further dollar weakness as global markets price in Fed rate cuts in the months to come.
By Metrobank Research
The Philippines headline inflation dropped to 3.9% year-on-year in December 2023 from 4.1% in November (+0.16% month-on-month), mainly driven by a slower annual increase in the prices of electricity, LPG, and rentals, followed by lower inflation on vegetables, meats, and coffee and coffee substitutes.
The latest headline print brings full-year 2023 average headline inflation to 6%, noting the highest recorded inflation for the year of 8.7% in January and the lowest recorded inflation for the year in December.
While our estimates show that headline inflation will remain above the BSP’s target band from 2Q2024 onwards, we think that dissipating price pressures in other non-volatile commodity prices as indicated by the move lower in core inflation (from 4.7% in November to 4.4% in December), will make the case for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to consider lowering rates as early as June.
For more information on the performance and outlook for several macroeconomic indicators, as well as local macroeconomic news, please download the full report below:
January 2024 Updates: Staying the course in early 2024
Continued recoveries in certain industries, in addition to reforms to attract more foreign investments are some of the bright spots that could push the Philippines to a high-growth trajectory.
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