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cd457bc2e25d1b7c010eb2332261ba43fdb8372df85dc9e03ad259c545949e16
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2026-02-06T07:39:57+00:00
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Jobless rate rises to 2-year high in 2025
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THE COUNTRY’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in December amid a sharp contraction in construction jobs, bringing the full-year average to a two-year high of 4.2%, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. Preliminary data from the Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed the jobless rate in December was higher than the 3.1% posted in December 2024. However, this was unchanged at 4.4% from November. The number of unemployed Filipinos increased to 2.26 million in December, higher than the 1.63 million logged in December 2024 and the previous month’s count of 2.25 million. For 2025, the jobless rate averaged 4.2%, equivalent to 2.14 million jobless Filipinos. This was higher than the 3.8% jobless rate in 2024, which translated to 1.94 million jobless Filipinos. The 2025 unemployment rate was the fastest in two years or since the 4.4% posted last 2023. National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa attributed the drop in unemployment in December to declines in public construction. The construction sector recorded the largest job losses in December, shedding 550,000 workers year on year, while administrative and support services posted the biggest gain with 385,000 additional workers, PSA data showed. “We know from our fourth-quarter GDP (gross domestic product) report that in the fourth quarter, [the growth rate] in construction really declined. It was negative there in construction, particularly public construction,” Mr. Mapa said in mixed English and Filipino. The country’s GDP growth eased to 3% annually in the fourth quarter, the slowest growth recorded since the 3.8% contraction in the first quarter of 2021 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. This dragged the full-year growth to 4.4% in 2025, the lowest growth in five years or since the pandemic-induced contraction of 9.5% in 2020. It fell short of the government’s 5.5% to 6.5% target amid the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. In a research note, Chinabank Research said the job losses in construction were due to reduction of government outlays on infrastructure projects in the final three months of 2025. “Job creation in the sector may remain subdued as heightened scrutiny amid governance concerns may continue to delay public construction activities,” Chinabank Research said. “Climate impacts and corruption scandals made a significant dent on employment in 2025,” said University of the Philippines Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR) Assistant Professor Benjamin B. Velasco in a Messenger chat. “Rains and floodings from so many typhoons, including several strong ones, severely affected climate vulnerable sectors like agriculture and fisheries. Meanwhile the ban on flood control projects in the wake of the massive corruption scandal hit jobs in construction,” he added. Meanwhile, job quality improved as the underemployment rate slipped to 8% (3.93 million), down from 10.9% (5.48 million) in December 2024 and 10.4% (5.11 million) in the previous month. This was also the lowest underemployment rate since April 2005, when the PSA redefined underemployment as individuals who are employed but seek additional jobs or work hours. “The decline in underemployment allows workers to participate in the upskilling and reskilling initiatives to be rolled out by government,” said Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with Congress to institute reforms to make our labor market environment dynamic and responsive to the evolving world of work.” For 2025, the average underemployment rate held steady at 11.9% since 2024. This is equal to 5.823 million underemployed Filipinos last year, higher than 5.818 million in 2024. Chinabank Research said that underemployement usually eases near the yearend due to higher discretionary income. “A lower underemployment rate does not necessarily imply improved job quality, as some underemployed workers may have exited the job market in December amid weak demand,” it added in a note. Josua T. Mata, secretary-general of Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, said that the rise in unemployment during December “when employment should have peaked” was caused by low-quality jobs. “The corruption scandal and the government’s bungled response played a major role in this dismal outcome. Construction alone lost a massive number of jobs after the government chose to freeze projects rather than decisively address corruption,” he said in a Viber message. Employment rate dipped to 95.6% in December from the 96.9% posted in December 2024 but remained steady from November. The December figure represented 49.43 million employed Filipinos, down from 50.19 million workers in December 2024. However, this was an increase from 49.26 million workers in November. For 2025, the average employment rate fell to a two-year low of 95.8%, from the 96.2% logged in 2024. This accounts for 49.01 million employed Filipinos in 2025, higher than the 2024 average of 48.84 million. “Admittedly, in our data over the last three years, this is the lowest additional employed persons year on year,” said Mr. Mapa. “In 2023 versus 2022, our addition there was 1.29 million. In 2024 versus 2023, our addition in employed persons was 664,000. And this 2025, 172,000. So it’s lower compared to the past two years.” Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) edged down to 64.4% in December from 65.1% a year earlier, though it ticked up from 64% in November. The labor force totaled 51.69 million, down from 51.81 million in December 2024 but up from 51.52 million in November. This brought the country’s workforce size to an average of 51.16 million in 2025, up from 50.78 million in 2024. This translated to an LFPR of 64.1% in 2025, down from 64.4% in 2024. In December, the services sector employed the most workers, accounting for 62.4% of the total workforce. The agriculture and industry sectors came next, accounting for 20.7% and 16.9% of the total number of employed individuals, respectively. Wage and salary workers made up the majority of employed Filipinos in December at 64.2%, followed by self-employed individuals without paid employees (27.4%), unpaid family workers (6.9%), and employers in family-operated farms or businesses (1.5%). For UP SOLAIR’s Mr. Velasco, climate remains an employment risk this year. “Climate is both a risk and opportunity. If we make a decisive shift to public employment in green jobs, then we can open up possibilities amid a crisis,” he said. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo
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https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2026/02/06/728937/jobless-rate-rises-to-2-year-high-in-2025/
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Business & Finance
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39a857cc36c3e4bb9991f3ef7018b45345c34e1767990e2152b6a172d9012bd7
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2026-02-06T06:05:31+00:00
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A new way to work: Silver City brings campus-style offices to the metro
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Office spaces in the Philippines typically conform to a certain stereotype: a single building 50 stories high, concentrated in one area, and located in a highly congested central business district. While offices of this kind have served as a home for a bulk of the business process outsourcing industry in the country, more and more companies are starting to opt for suburban, scalable, and people-centric workspaces. Fulfilling such demand is Ortigas Land’s Silver City, a high-performance suburban business address designed to support the evolving needs of BPOs and corporate occupiers. Rising at the heart of the company’s premier eco-estate, Ortigas East, the office development stands out amidst residential and commercial spaces. “Ortigas East was envisioned as a truly integrated estate where people can live, work, learn, and enjoy leisure in one cohesive community. The office spaces were created to complement the surrounding residential villages and educational institutions, completing a balanced mix of uses that includes offices, homes, and retail destinations. Office buildings also bring significant employment opportunities to the community,” Ortigas Land Office Business Unit Head Javier D. Hernandez said. Silver City’s location is one of its strongest advantages. It is only about 6 kilometers away from Rizal and Marikina and is bounded by major roads such as C5, Ortigas Avenue, and Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City. This makes the multi-building office district highly accessible and strategically connected to multiple transport routes. “For many commuters, it means ‘isang sakay‘ convenience. This significantly shortens travel time and reduces daily stress,” Mr. Hernandez added. Another relevant feature of the Silver City is its campus-style layout that mirrors the makeup of the country’s universities, encouraging more collaboration and interaction between employees and tenants. The spacious floor plate of roughly 3,000 square meters is ideal for BPO and corporate operations, allowing flexible layouts and efficient workflows. Each building is also fully equipped with basement parking and retail offerings, so daily needs are easily met within the same structure. Additionally, the low-rise layout allows quicker response during emergencies, offering a safer and more manageable environment compared to high-density skyscrapers. “The campus-style design creates a more employee-friendly working environment. With low-rise buildings that go up to only five floors, movement is faster and easier — elevators are less congested, and many employees even choose to use the stairs, naturally promoting healthier habits,” Mr. Hernandez said. Ortigas Land’s office development also boasts Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Accreditation. This signals that the property meets high standards in operations, compliance, and sustainability. “Many companies are now eager to locate in developments that support environmental initiatives and contribute positively to the community, and PEZA accreditation reinforces Silver City’s commitment to these values,” Mr. Hernandez said. Among the benefits of being located inside a PEZA-accredited zone are the streamlining of bureaucratic processes, income tax holidays, corporate income tax exemptions, as well as tax- and duty-free importation of equipment, capital equipment, and parts. Other privileges from the certification include exemption from payment of any local government imposts, fees, licenses, or taxes; exemption from expanded withholding tax; and VAT zero-rating of local purchases of goods and services such as land-based telecommunications, electrical power, water bills, and lease on the building, subject to compliance with Bureau of Internal Revenues and PEZA requirements. “Today’s office locators look beyond just space — they seek purpose, sustainability, and long-term value. PEZA accreditation strengthens Silver City 4’s appeal by offering fiscal incentives while also aligning with the growing demand for responsible and future-ready developments,” Mr. Hernandez explained. Despite these many advantages, Silver City’s true appeal springs from the sense of community that it fosters relative to its surrounding developments. Within the Ortigas East estate is the Tiendesitas vibrant hub of local eats and live beats where customers can shop for locally-made crafts or take your fur babies to a pet village. Also nearby is Maple at Verdant Towers, a 42-storey residential building that offers 692 units across 33 floors as well as upscale amenities for residents. “Silver City’s unique proposition lies in true work-life integration. It is not an isolated office complex but part of the larger Ortigas East Estate, where offices, retail, residences, and lifestyle destinations coexist seamlessly,” Mr. Hernandez added. “With Silver City offices, Tiendesitas, SM Hypermarket, and Verdant Towers all within close proximity, employees enjoy the convenience of dining, shopping, running errands, and unwinding without having to travel far.” Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com. Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.
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https://www.bworldonline.com/spotlight/2026/02/06/728391/a-new-way-to-work-silver-city-brings-campus-style-offices-to-the-metro/
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Business & Finance
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0bedc7a8d706b7118dc60936022a945a57e7f65e9a1feb7634b3d52b7dab1b86
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2026-02-06T04:00:19+00:00
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Flower prices in Dangwa expected to increase next week
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Flower prices at Dangwa, Manila, are expected to rise due to the anticipated surge in demand as Valentine’s Day approaches, according to several vendors on Wednesday. Lolita N. De Dios, 47, a flower vendor for 20 years, said that prices of roses — the top-selling flower during the occasion — which are currently sold at ₱800 to ₱1,000 per bundle (24 pieces), are likely to increase to ₱1,500 to ₱1,800. She noted that rose prices have already increased by around ₱200 since the beginning of February. “Tataas pa ’yan ng hanggang dalawang daan kada araw… Magsisimula ng 7 o 8 [Prices could still go up by as much as ₱200 per day starting February 7 or 8],” Ms. De Dios said in an interview. Veteran flower vendor Lourdes B. Noepe, 67, who has been selling flowers in Dangwa for 50 years, said price hikes are common during occasions such as Valentine’s Day. “Tumaas talaga kapag Valentine’s Day kasi maraming bumibili… Nagtaas din ng presyo ang mga supplier [Prices really go up during Valentine’s Day because many people buy, and suppliers also raise prices],” Ms. Noepe said. As for other flowers, both vendors said prices have remained steady since the start of the month, but increases are also expected within the same period. Current prices and expected hikes of other common flowers in Dangwa: Sunflower Current price: ₱500 per 10 pieces (₱50 per stem) Expected price: ₱600 to ₱700 per 10 pieces Imported carnation Current price: ₱500 per bundle (20 pieces) Expected price: ₱600 per bundle Malaysian mums, locally known as rados Current price: ₱50 to ₱80 per small bouquet ₱120 to ₱170 per bundle (20 pieces) Expected price hike: No increase expected as of this writing Some vendors have also started selling bouquets priced at around ₱800. Ms. De Dios said that custom bouquets were the trend last year and she expects the same this year. Custom bouquets can cost around ₱2,000, which includes a ₱300 labor fee. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) does not impose a suggested retail price on flowers, as these are not considered basic necessities or prime commodities. For customers looking for cheaper options, Ms. De Dios advised buying flowers at smaller quantities, commonly known as ‘tingi’, which usually costs ₱50 to ₱200, depending on the type of flower. “Mas maganda na tingi-tingi na lang. Kasi if magpapa-arrange ka pa, may babayaran at mas mahal [It’s better to buy at smaller quantities because if you still have them arranged, there’s an additional fee and it becomes more expensive],” she said. Meanwhile, Ms. Noepe advised customers to enter the shops themselves to get lower prices, as stalls located near the entrance are usually more expensive. Dangwa is a common destination for Metro Manila residents when buying flowers, as it serves as a major drop-off point for supplies coming from Northern Luzon and international sources. For Chelsea Meteoro, a 23-year-old third-year college student, Dangwa is her go-to flower market for her side business this Valentine’s season. “Dito kasi mas fresh, mas marami, at mas sariwa ang mga bulaklak kaysa sa ibang lugar [The flowers here are fresher and more abundant compared with other places],” she said. Both vendors expect their sales to flourish this Valentine’s Day, as it is one of the peak seasons they rely on for strong earnings. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
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https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2026/02/06/728925/flower-prices-in-dangwa-expected-to-increase-next-week/
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Business & Finance
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63bbe9f5c03328f3d7df15bcc2df337b091c36f53088f75846aff5196b754170
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2026-02-06T02:43:39+00:00
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TESDA’s all-in-one app targets over a million workers, students
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The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said it aims to improve the accessibility of certifications and work opportunities for over a million skilled workers and students through its newly launched mobile application. “The TVET ecosystem in the Philippines is around 1.6 to 1.8 million Filipinos a year,” TESDA Director General Jose Francisco B. Benitez told reporters in an interview on Thursday. “There’s a mismatch, either a mismatch in skills or a mismatch in access to information as to where the jobs are and what it would take to get there, so this app hopes to help fill that gap,” he added. TESDA’s Skills Passport application aims to be an “all-in-one” platform for training, certifications, employment, and scholarship services. The application will serve as a “digital identity and portfolio” for users, where they can store digital records of the TESDA National Certificate (NC) verifiable by potential employers through a QR-enabled resume. Job portals will be linked on the app to help users find jobs aligned with their skills. “The learner has an option to link their training to their job…There are lots of jobs out there, and more jobs, actually, than there are unemployed Filipinos,” Mr. Benitez said. “Even if you don’t have a TESDA certificate per se, you can basically send your application through the app.” “But obviously, the app is better if you have a TESDA certification because then they can verify the veracity of the certificate that you have,” he added. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the unemployment rate in the country reached 4.4% or 2.26 million in December 2025. This is higher than the 3.1% or 1.63 million recorded in the same period last year. A smart guide, Professor K, is available on the app to help users with career paths and choices. Gig workers are also encouraged to utilize the application’s micro-credential features. “We’ve developed micro-credentials, which will appear in the app,” Mr. Benitez said. “If there are transversal skills and or very specific specialization skills that are not an NC…you can have those micro-credential badges.” “I think, in many ways, help address not just unemployment but underemployment, hopefully,” he added. — Almira Louise S. Martinez
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https://www.bworldonline.com/labor-and-management/2026/02/06/728904/tesdas-all-in-one-app-targets-over-a-million-workers-students/
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Business & Finance
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fea3d8e5c9b115f605feb319a844938df1552d5163651d0ec6bc702cda058028
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2026-02-05T16:32:19+00:00
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DA to change benchmark for ‘flexible’ rice tariff scheme
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By Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) will replace the benchmark price used for the “flexible” rice tariff scheme to better reflect the actual prices of rice varieties that the country imports. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told BusinessWorld that the agency will no longer use the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) free-on-board price for Vietnam 5% broken rice as the basis for tariff adjustments. “Most of our import is not the basic Vietnam 5% broken rice. The majority of the imported rice here is the Vietnam DT8 variant, and that is what we should be monitoring and using as the basis,” he said in a Viber message. Mr. Laurel said the price of the DT8 rice variety is $430 to $450 per metric ton, which is higher than the FAO’s $361-per-metric-ton quotation for Vietnam 5% broken rice in December. The flexible rice tariff scheme, which began this year under Executive Order (EO) No. 105, allows import duties to rise or fall in response to global prices. Tariff adjustments are made in increments of five percentage points, with rates capped at 15% and 35%. Under the EO’s implementing guidelines, signed by the interagency group consisting of the Economy, Agriculture, Trade, and Finance departments in December, the benchmark for tariff adjustments was originally the monthly average FAO price for Vietnam 5% broken rice. FAO data from December showed Vietnam 5% broken rice at $361.32 per metric ton. This is within the threshold price range of $350 to $367 per metric ton, which translates into a 20% duty under the flexible tariffication formula. The tariff adjustment for the first quarter of the year was supposed to take effect on Jan. 16, but the DA did not issue a certification, saying that actual prices of imported rice have not fallen below the $367-per-metric-ton trigger level for the duty. The department also said the 15% tariff rate on imported rice is retained until the end of March. Mr. Laurel did not say whether the inter-agency group would issue new guidelines or amend the existing rules to reflect the change in the benchmark. Farmers’ groups have criticized the variable tariffication scheme as being designed to keep the tariff rate low, allowing cheaper imported rice to flood the market and depress farmgate prices. “The starting point for any adjustment should be 35%. The current scheme only serves to maintain the 15% tariff,” Jayson H. Cainglet, executive director of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, earlier told BusinessWorld. Farmers argue that the tariff should return to a fixed 35%, the rate originally imposed on Southeast Asian rice imports when the Rice Tariffication Law took effect in 2019. The tariff was cut to 15% in June 2024 under EO 62 to help contain inflation. Since then, the landed cost of imported rice has fallen by as much as 40% to 50%, according to Mr. Cainglet. He added that the low tariff rates primarily benefit importers, while rice producers bear the brunt of the policy, and consumers see little improvement in retail prices. “We cannot accept the claim that ‘market forces’ are driving rice prices. Farmers struggle while importers receive protection, and consumers have never truly benefited. Tariff reductions and consumer interest are just pretexts for higher profits for importers,” Mr. Cainglet said.
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https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2026/02/06/728807/da-to-change-benchmark-for-flexible-rice-tariff-scheme/
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Business & Finance
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fcb04a80aaf62405ddcd3477c276553ae3ab4793256d0ff4778a507f0d1f801f
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2026-02-05T16:31:18+00:00
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Targeted tax incentives and less borrowings may help Philippines avert ‘growth recession’ — CPBRD
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By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter THE PHILIPPINE government should boost industrial output through targeted tax incentives while cutting reliance on borrowing, allowing the private sector to drive economic activity and support a slowing economy that showed signs of a “growth recession” last year, a congressional think tank said. The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said Philippine job data point to a recession based on an economic indicator that flags a looming slowdown when the three‑month average unemployment rate climbs half-a-percentage point above its past-year low. “The burgeoning unemployment problem is likely related to the demonstrably hamstrung industrial sector,” the 24-page report, authored by David Joseph Emmanuel Barua Yap, Jr., Ma. Kristina P. Ortiz and Krishna Margaret U. Mirida, said. The think tank said employment data breached the Sahm rule for five months from July to November 2025, while seasonally adjusted job figures from 2023 to 2025 showed the threshold was crossed for nine months from February to October 2025. Seasonally adjusted job data from 2021 to 2025 showed that the Sahm rule was breached only in November 2025, it added. “All outcomes indicate substantial labor market stress, with employment contracting by 1.76 million workers on average during Sahm — signal months in which the labor force declined or stagnated, and youth unemployment peaking at 3.2 percentage points year on year,” the CPBRD said. “Viewed in conjunction with the appreciable slowdown of the Philippine economy in the third quarter, evidence suggests that the Philippines entered a ‘growth recession’ in the latter half of 2025,” it added, referring to the revised 3.9% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the third quarter. While a formal recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction, recent economic data have raised concerns over a “growth recession,” where GDP growth remains positive amid rising unemployment and underemployment. Philippine GDP grew by 4.4% in 2025, slowing from 5.7% in 2024, and below the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s 5.5%-6.5% goal. In the fourth quarter, GDP expanded by a weaker-than-expected 3% in a period usually buoyed by holiday spending. Unemployment rose to 4.4% year on year in November despite the holiday hiring season, translating to 2.25 million jobless Filipinos, defying the usual trend of job gains during the period. “The numbers constitute evidence that the Philippines may have been in a recession for most of 2025,” the CPBRD said. The findings underscore mounting pressure on the government to push through reforms aimed at averting a full-blown recession. Policymakers should boost industrial activity by cutting tax and regulatory burdens, while continuing the state’s fiscal consolidation effort, the CPBRD said. “Given the established linkages across industrial sector performance, quality employment generation, and income generation, the government is enjoined to pursue policies that would unleash the productive potential of Philippine industries,” it said. Targeted tax exemptions, such as rebates or cuts for “high employment multiplier” industries like manufacturing, logistics and energy sectors, should be implemented to boost job creation and support the development of a sustainable industrial base, the think tank said. “The cumulative burden of regulatory compliance costs and taxes spanning multiple agencies constrains firm productivity, expansion and job generation potential,” the CPBRD said. Policymakers should also improve zoning by clustering industrial sites through a public infrastructure program in the suburbs, while cutting tariffs on goods that could enhance worker and production productivity to help spur economic growth, it added. The CPBRD said the government should also establish a “robust dialogue mechanism” between the private sector and policymakers to ensure industrial policy remains responsive to evolving business needs. There should also be a review of the wage-setting mechanism to ensure the current system remains effective and responsive to the job market, it added. Policymakers should also rein in spending and avoid stimulus programs, the think tank said, warning that such measures could backfire and worsen the country’s debt position. “Insisting upon yet another expansion in government spending to accommodate a stimulus program would inevitably lead to higher debt servicing requirements, an even larger debt overhang, and a heightened risk of a default,” it said. The Philippines’ outstanding debt climbed to a record P17.71 trillion in 2025, exceeding the projected year-end level of P17.36 trillion by 2% and rising by 10.32% from P16.05 trillion a year earlier. This brought the outstanding debt as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) to 63.2% as of end-2025, up from 60.7% a year earlier, the Bureau of the Treasury said. This marks the highest annual debt-to-GDP ratio in two decades, surpassing the 65.7% recorded in 2005. It also exceeds the 60% threshold that multilateral lenders consider manageable for developing economies, as well as the government’s end-2025 projection of 61.3% under its updated medium-term fiscal framework. “At best, a stimulus program would be exchanging one crisis for another,” the CPBRD said. “At worst, it would compound the ongoing economic slowdown with a debt crisis.” “Instead, the government is advised to aggressively pursue fiscal consolidation, improve public expenditure efficiency, and prioritize investment over consumption,” it added. Meanwhile, the slowdown in growth could be largely attributed to the Philippines’ inability to attract investments, coupled with government underspending that has weighed on economic growth. “This reflects deeper structural constraints such as weak private investment, uneven public spending, governance concerns, and external headwinds that have dampened confidence and productivity,” John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said in a Viber message. “Industry reforms that strengthen ease of doing business, infrastructure delivery, digitalization, and the overall investment climate are therefore critical.” IBON Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique “Sonny” A. Africa said policymakers should look beyond tax breaks to spur industrial activity, stressing the need for broad and ambitious reforms to usher in a golden age of industrial development. “The government really has to have much more ambition and industrial vision for the country,” he said in a Viber message. “This includes trade protection, regulation of foreign investment to build domestic capacity, promoting indigenous science and technology, strategic coordination of credit and finance, tax and other fiscal incentives, public investment in infrastructure, and expanding mass purchasing power,” he added. The government should also look at letting local officials handle industrial development policies, Leonardo A. Lanzona, an economics professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, said. “In this way, the industrial policy will be more in tune with the needs and resources of their communities,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
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https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2026/02/06/728806/targeted-tax-incentives-and-less-borrowings-may-help-philippines-avert-growth-recession-cpbrd/
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Business & Finance
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45d3f4a5a216b910e71acfbb0c779b824b6df7cb1e2761600e32a61e35fcf01e
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2026-02-05T16:10:32+00:00
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Reforming towards fair and efficient trade
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As one of the central pillars of economic development, trade and commerce occupy a singularly vital space in a nation’s agenda. When trade is strong, a country bustles with life creating goods, transporting resources, and engendering prosperity. When trade is held back, whether by smuggling, by illicit markets, or rampant malpractices that strangle competition, growth struggles. People can lose jobs, struggle to compete, or be unable to find livelihoods altogether. To promote efficient, fair, and secure commerce is the purview of the Bureau of Customs (BoC), which celebrates its 124th anniversary this February. The organization has been taking on the supervision of import and export cargoes; the prevention and suppression of smuggling; and ensuring lawful collection of revenues towards a better Philippines for over a century. Global trade is as old as civilization itself. In the Philippines, long before Spanish or American rule, trade relations were already firmly established between indigenous groups and the country’s neighbors in Southeast Asia. Tributes and primitive trade levies were collected by local datus or rajahs, arguably the predecessor of the customs bureau today. This practice of collecting tributes was known as the Customs Law of the Land. Naturally, such rules create rulebreakers. For those who deemed the tributes unjust or excessive, black markets emerged that sought to evade the tariffs charged by the datus and rajahs, concealing goods and deceiving authorities. The BoC considered this as smuggling in its primitive form. Even hundreds of years later, the same cat-and-mouse game between smugglers and customs officials persist. Under Spanish rule, customs law existed as part of imperial trade regulation. After the US took over in 1898, existing Spanish customs practices were gradually overhauled into a more formal revenue collection agency under American colonial law. The Customs Service Act and related legal acts in the early 1900s helped establish the structure that eventually became today’s Bureau of Customs. In the early decades of the 20th century, successive laws reorganized customs administration, abolishing older roles like the Captain of the Port and creating professionalized collectors of customs across major ports, embedding the bureau firmly within the colonial and later national state apparatus. Across the rest of the 20th century, the agency underwent repeated legal and institutional reforms, from tariff revisions to early automation efforts, as Philippine trade expanded and customs enforcement became more complex. Globally, structural shifts because of containerization and modern logistics were accelerating legitimate trade and smuggling at the same time. The rise of massive freight ships with internationally standardized shipping containers has both improved efficiency and throughput for authorized traders, and created new challenges for port authorities as smugglers now had the capacity for hiding things at scale. Modern customs agencies responded by moving from inspecting everything, which was an increasingly impossible task, to risk-based targeting, which meant inspecting only the items suspected of illegal activity while auditing the rest. This culminated in the passage of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in the 2010s, which aligned Philippine customs procedures with global standards on trade facilitation, valuation, and risk management. Today, the BoC operates under the Department of Finance, functioning not only as a border control and trade regulation agency but also as the government’s second-largest revenue collector after the Bureau of Internal Revenue, reflecting its central role in the modern Philippine fiscal and trade system. Bolstering timeless practices through technology In 2025, the BoC achieved a total revenue collection of P934.4 billion, surpassing the previous year’s haul by P17.7 billion or 1.9%. This growth was driven by the BoC’s strict enforcement measures, rigorous monitoring of import declarations, and efforts to ensure that importers pay the correct duties and taxes. This momentum carried forward into January of this year as Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno announced that they have collected P80.744 billion for the month alone, exceeding its target and reflecting a 100.6% revenue collection efficiency. “Exceeding our January target is a strong affirmation of the hard work of our Customs personnel and the growing cooperation of the trade community. We are committed to sustaining this level of efficiency to support the President’s economic agenda and to exhibit the BoC’s ability of delivering reliable public service,” the commissioner said. At the start of the year, Mr. Nepomuceno reaffirmed their continuing efforts to deliver measurable outcomes consistent with the priorities set by the Marcos administration, reiterating the bureau’s priority reform agenda embodied in the “I A M” framework — Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization — which serves as the foundation of the BoC’s ongoing reforms. At the heart of this reform is an aggressive push for full digitalization, which seeks to eliminate the face-to-face interactions that have historically allowed for “grease money” and corruption. The bureau introduced the upgraded Online Tax Estimator, a more intuitive, web-based tool that helps importers anticipate duties and taxes with greater accuracy, even before lodging declarations. The BoC also launched the Origin Management System (OMS), which automates the issuance and processing of the Product Evaluation Report (PER), a mandatory document for goods intended for export under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), reducing processing times and promoting export competitiveness. Meanwhile, to strengthen regional interoperability, the BoC also implemented the ASEAN Electronic Document Exchange, enabling faster cross-border verification of trade documents and ensuring regional interoperability. The proposed integration of the Automated Export Declarations System (AEDS) across economic zones will seek to support the future digitization of export submissions, with the potential to reduce errors and strengthen compliance. There is also the improved processing for strategic and export-related goods through critical operational upgrades, including the streamlined clearance of aircraft parts at Clark International Airport and the full rollout of the electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) portal. By automating 96% of its procedures, ranging from electronic travel declarations to digital origin reviews, the agency is effectively replacing human discretion with transparent, unalterable data trails. Alongside digital reforms, policy improvements in 2025 reinforced predictability and reduced administrative burdens for traders. Through initiatives like the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), the agency has opened a direct line of communication with the private sector to identify and remove “bottlenecks” in real time. This efficiency is paired with a much more intensified border protection strategy. Finally, the most challenging aspect of this reform is the cultural overhaul of the agency’s internal workforce. The BoC is attempting to break old patronage systems by implementing merit-based promotions and pursuing ISO certifications for all 17 major ports across the country. Among the areas that Mr. Nepomuceno mentioned that the agency was focusing on were personnel welfare and professional development. By professionalizing the ranks and holding officers accountable through “digital footprints,” the bureau aims to foster a culture where integrity is institutionalized rather than optional. International organizations like the World Bank have expressed support for such initiatives, with the institution granting $88.28 million in financing for the entire modernization program. These reforms are designed to outlast individual administrations, ultimately evolving the BoC into a technology-driven border security firm that balances national security with the rapid pace of global trade. As times continue to change, the BoC continues to evolve along with it. Although the tools are different, the game plan is the same as it has ever been: serving the Filipino people by facilitating fair and efficient trade for all. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran
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https://www.bworldonline.com/special-features/2026/02/06/728909/reforming-towards-fair-and-efficient-trade/
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Business & Finance
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ed814d5f1881003cacd026148ad1b6e2dadd7715e88dabd6f7715971cd40848f
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2026-02-05T16:08:24+00:00
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ACEN takes full control of India RE business after stake buyout
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AYALA-LED ACEN CORP. has strengthened its footprint in India after acquiring the remaining stake held by Singapore-based UPC Renewables in their joint venture, allowing it to take the lead in developing more than a gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy (RE) projects. ACEN told the local bourse on Thursday that its subsidiary ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. acquired a 50% voting interest in Unlimited Renewables Holdings B.V. (URH) from UPC Renewables. The transaction involves 2,724 common shares of URH, though the company kept the deal’s value undisclosed. Following the acquisition, ACEN will assume full ownership of URH, which is currently developing three renewable energy projects across Rajasthan and Karnataka with a combined capacity of 1,059 megawatts (MW), spanning both the construction and advanced development stages. “This platform is the result of years of close collaboration and shared commitment to developing high-quality renewable energy projects. As ACEN takes full ownership, I am looking forward to continue growing this portfolio and make a meaningful contribution to India’s clean energy transition,” UPC Renewables India Chief Executive Officer Alok Nigam said. ACEN aims to seize opportunities from “a fast-growing and diversified renewables portfolio in one of the world’s most attractive clean energy markets.” Patrice Clausse, group chief investments officer and president and chief executive officer of ACEN International, said the company is well positioned to scale up its renewable energy portfolio. “India’s strong policy support, maturing market structures, and growing demand for renewables provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth,” he said. As of September 2025, the India market accounts for 37% of ACEN’s net attributable capacity across its international operations. The company operates three solar power projects with a combined capacity of 630 MW. ACEN is banking on India’s “strong fundamentals” and “supportive policy environment” in the renewable energy market for long-term growth. The company said India’s regulatory framework is “well-established and predictable,” with strong regulations and effective mechanisms for redress and compensation in case of changes in regulation. “Combined with an increasingly mature banking sector that can provide long-tenor project financing, India offers a compelling environment for both growth and capital recycling,” ACEN said. ACEN currently manages a renewable energy portfolio of 7.1 GW across the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Laos, and the United States. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728818/acen-takes-full-control-of-india-re-business-after-stake-buyout/
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Business & Finance
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c6a4a198ae849435adf5e979446862fddd405cd7df73d06516775c959b6ee51f
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2026-02-05T16:08:21+00:00
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Modernizing frontlines of trade: Inside BoC’s digitalization drive
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In an era increasingly defined by digital governance, the modernization of border control and customs administration has become a strategic imperative for national development. The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has embarked on an extensive digital transformation program designed to enhance trade facilitation, increase operational efficiency, strengthen transparency, and reinforce border security. Anchored on the Philippine Customs Modernization Program (PCMP) and aligned with international frameworks such as the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the BoC’s digitalization agenda reflects a long-term commitment to building a modern, responsive, and globally competitive customs administration. The BoC’s digitalization drive is firmly rooted in the implementation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which mandates the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) to simplify procedures, improve regulatory compliance, and promote efficiency in cross-border trade. To operationalize this mandate, the agency launched the PCMP, supported by the World Bank Group. Central to this program is the development of a unified Customs Processing System (CPS), which consolidates multiple customs modules into a single digital platform, enabling end-to-end electronic processing of import, export, and transit transactions. The CPS builds on the legacy of Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) system, enhancing its functionality by integrating risk-based compliance management, advanced cargo targeting, and non-intrusive inspection services. This integrated digital architecture enables the BoC to shift from labor-intensive manual processes to data-driven operation. Over the past years, the BoC has rolled out a wide range of digital solutions that collectively form a comprehensive e-customs ecosystem. By 2023, the agency had successfully digitalized 160 out of 166 custom processes, achieving a digitalization rate of approximately 96.39%. This remarkable feat contributed to the Philippines ranking second among ASEAN member states in the 2023 United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, with a score of 87.10%. Among the major systems introduced were the Liquidation and Billing System (LBS), Electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration (iDeclare) System, Raw Materials Liquidation System, National Customs Intelligence System (NCIS), and the integration of E2M system with the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (ETRACC). In addition, the Payment Application Secure 6 (PAS6) system was deployed to enhance electronic payment processing, ensuring secure, real-time exchange of transaction data. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document (ACDD) system supports cross-border data exchange among ASEAN member states, facilitating faster verification of trade documents. Advancing trade facilitation In 2025, the BoC intensified its digital reform agenda through the deployment of advanced platforms designed to further streamline trade processes. Notably, the upgraded Online Tax Estimator enables importers to forecast duties and taxes more accurately before submitting declarations, thereby reducing valuation disputes and compliance risks. The launch of the Origin Management System (OMS) automated the issuance of Product Evaluation Reports for exports under free-trade agreements, significantly cutting processing time and enhancing export competitiveness. To improve export documentation, the agency also proposed the integration of the Automated Export Declaration System (AEDS) across economic zones, expected to standardize export submissions, reduce human error, and enhance regulatory oversight. Parallel upgrades included the full rollout of the electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) portal and the ASEAN Electronic Document Exchange, which strengthens cross-border paperless trade. Strengthening transparency and integrity Digitalization has also been leveraged as a strategic tool to combat corruption and enhance institutional integrity. By automating discretionary processes and minimizing direct contact between Customs officers and traders, the BoC reduces opportunities for rent-seeking behavior. The near-complete digitalization of procedures ensures that transactions are traceable, auditable, and governed by standardized workflows. Complementing technological upgrades, the BoC has institutionalized stakeholder engagement through the establishment of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC). These platforms foster structured dialogue between Customs officials and the private sector, facilitating the identification and resolution of operational issues while reinforcing trust and accountability. Enhancing regional and international cooperation The BoC’s digitalization efforts extend beyond national borders, aligning with regional and global frameworks on paperless trade. Through its participation in ASEAN initiatives and cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Philippines has committed to the Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade. The framework aims to promote interoperability among national single windows and facilitate the mutual recognition of electronic trade documents. By adopting common data standards and digital protocols, the BoC enhances the Philippines’ integration into global value chains. Operational efficiency and service delivery Operational gains from digitalization are evident in faster cargo clearance times, improved risk profiling, and more effective border surveillance. The integration of cargo electronic tracking systems enables real-time monitoring of containerized cargo, enhancing supply chain visibility and reducing the risk of diversion or smuggling. Moreover, the rollout of the e-Travel System, a joint initiative with the Bureau of Immigration and other government agencies, allows passengers and crew members to submit baggage and currency declarations electronically prior to arrival or departure. For traders, the expansion of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Super Green Lane (SGL) programs, supported by digital risk management tools, provides expedited processing and preferential treatment to compliant businesses. These trust-based facilitation mechanisms reward good governance while allowing Customs authorities to concentrate enforcement efforts on high-risk shipments. Challenges and future directions Despite substantial progress, the BoC’s digitalization journey still has its difficulties. Interoperability among legacy systems, cybersecurity risks, capacity-building requirements, and resistance to organizational change remain critical concerns. Sustained investment in ICT infrastructure, human capital development, and regulatory harmonization will be essential to ensure the longevity of digital reforms. The digital transformation of the BoC represents a landmark reform in Philippine public administration. Through sustained investment in technology, institutional restructuring, and international cooperation, the BoC has redefined the delivery of customs services, aligning national practices with global standards. With over 96% of processes now digitalized, the agency stands as a regional leader in trade facilitation and digital governance. As the Philippines continues to pursue inclusive economic growth and deeper integration into the global trading system, the BoC’s modernization agenda will remain a critical pillar of national competitiveness. — Krystal Anjela H. Gamboa
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https://www.bworldonline.com/special-features/2026/02/06/728908/modernizing-frontlines-of-trade-inside-bocs-digitalization-drive/
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Business & Finance
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357a04cd96675a36eb24d8b58775f589c2a91ebe33dd0e40b0d4de260af82d16
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2026-02-05T16:07:24+00:00
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Korea-backed firm plans P64.3-B pumped storage project in Benguet
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FILIPINO-KOREAN firm Coheco Badeo Corp. is planning to develop a 500-megawatt (MW) pumped storage hydropower project in Kibungan, Benguet. The proposed Kibungan pumped storage facility is expected to provide additional power supply to the Luzon grid, according to its filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The P64.3-billion project will span 36 hectares and will include upper and lower dams with a combined reservoir capacity of about 3.53 million cubic meters, as well as intake facilities, underground tunnels, an underground powerhouse, and access roads. Located in Barangay Badeo near the Amburayan River, the facility is expected to store large amounts of energy and respond quickly to fluctuations in power supply and demand. “With the growing concern on the environment, it has been proven that mini and small hydropower have the least adverse effect on the environment thereby making it the most socially acceptable energy source,” Coheco said. The company secured a service contract from the Department of Energy in 2016, but the project experienced delays in regulatory proceedings, which it attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. Based on its project schedule, construction will start once an environmental compliance certificate has been issued, with completion targeted by 2031. The pumped storage project was among the winning bids in last year’s Green Energy Auction, where more than 6,600 MW of capacity was awarded. The proposed project is scheduled for public scoping on Feb. 26. The activity is an early stage of the environmental impact assessment process, during which the project proponent will present an overview of the development and gather issues and concerns from stakeholders. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728817/korea-backed-firm-plans-p64-3-b-pumped-storage-project-in-benguet/
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Business & Finance
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6c8b024c8395fb7c1d5d5744afe20b2551d9366b1e8329a3304e8e494c3dc3cc
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2026-02-05T16:06:24+00:00
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RCR posts 35% revenue growth on mall asset infusions
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RL COMMERCIAL REIT, Inc. (RCR), the real estate investment trust of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), reported a 35% increase in unaudited revenues for 2025, reaching P11.08 billion, driven by asset infusions from its sponsor. Occupancy rates remained steady at 96% last year, RCR said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Thursday. In the fourth quarter alone, unaudited revenues — excluding changes in the fair market value of investment properties — jumped 49% year on year, while quarter-on-quarter revenues rose 12% to P358 million, boosted by the acquisition of nine retail assets from RLC. The August 2025 property-for-share swap added nine malls to RCR’s portfolio: Robinsons Dasmariñas (Cavite), Robinsons Starmills (Pampanga), Robinsons General Trias (Cavite), Robinsons Cybergate (Cebu), Robinsons Tacloban (Leyte), Robinsons Malolos (Bulacan), Robinsons Santiago (Isabela), Robinsons Magnolia (Quezon City), and Robinsons Tuguegarao (Cagayan). In 2024, RLC also injected P33.9 billion worth of assets into RCR through a property-for-share swap deal that consist of 11 malls and two office buildings. The malls are located in Novaliches, Cainta, Luisita, Cabanatuan, Lipa, Sta. Rosa, Imus, Los Baños, Palawan, and Ormoc. “RCR continues to benefit from the upside of mall rental income from the 2024 asset infusion (two offices and eleven malls), together with the 2025 infusion (nine malls),” RCR President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho P. Go said. The REIT reported unaudited total assets of P167.76 billion and shareholders’ equity of P162.19 billion, remaining debt-free. It was recently included in the PSE index, highlighting its liquidity and capitalization. RCR ended 2025 with 38 assets, comprising 21 malls and 17 offices, and noted that RLC has a strong pipeline of potential future infusions, including over 1.1 million square meters (sq.m.) of mall gross leasable area (GLA), about 250,000 sq.m. of office GLA, nearly 300,000 sq.m. of logistics space, and around 4,000 hotel rooms. The REIT is also open to acquiring third-party assets for long-term growth. Its board has approved a fourth-quarter cash dividend of P0.1112 per share. For the full year, RCR declared P7.54 billion in dividends, equivalent to over 90% of its unaudited distributable income, payable on March 2 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 20. RCR’s market capitalization stood at P156.78 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025. RCR shares rose 0.4% or three centavos to close at P7.53 apiece on Thursday. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728816/rcr-posts-35-revenue-growth-on-mall-asset-infusions/
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Business & Finance
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128077b70618dea2ceaade4da216d6ae18304347318c1bc2d24eb760f5adb4d7
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2026-02-05T16:06:06+00:00
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Tightening the gates against smuggling
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Annually, billions of pesos worth of goods and produce pass through the thousands of ports in the Philippines, making up the country’s trade industry that fuels local markets and sustains livelihoods for millions of Filipinos. Yet, alongside the legitimate flow runs a shadow economy of sorts run by smugglers. Hidden in mislabeled containers, routed through informal landing sites, slipped past inspections with forged documents, or allowed through by paid officials, illicit goods quietly enter the country every day. The government entity tasked with preventing these mishaps and stopping these illegal activities is the Bureau of Customs (BoC). The BoC is tasked with enhancing trade facilitation, strengthening border control, and improving the collection of lawful revenues. While the agency has made strides in enhancing the country’s trade and collecting lawful revenues, the BoC has also significantly strengthened its crusade against smuggling in recent years. First on the long list of initiatives of the BoC to combat the crime is a sweeping reform agenda being implemented in coordination with the American Chamber of Commerce as well as the US Embassy. The reform comes after the agency was listed as one of the most corrupt offices in the country as per the United States Department of State. The said reform was aimed at curbing corruption issues. Another improvement is the bureau’s efforts to further accelerate digitalization in the agency to thwart smuggling. In an interview last year, BoC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno revealed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative eyed to modernize how imports and transactions are taxed. Under the proposal, importers would be charged a flat fee of P350 per transaction, regardless of whether it covers a single container van or multiple units. The program is expected to be rolled out within the next one to one-and-a-half years. Aside from modernization and reform initiatives, the BoC has also signed various partnerships with private organizations and other government agencies to strengthen its campaign against smuggling. In October last year, the agency signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) seeking to establish a more efficient system connecting vehicle importation and registration. As vehicles are some of the most valuable goods smuggled into the country, the MoA highlights the shared commitment of both agencies to ensure the timely and accurate exchange of data, streamline the tracking of imported motor vehicles, and curb illegal or fraudulent transactions. In addition, the Philippine National Police and the BoC worked together last year for a series of successful police-initiated operations that led to the confiscation of billions of pesos worth of smuggled cigarettes and other goods. Partnerships with private organizations have proven beneficial for the agency as well. Earlier this year, the BoC and the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) agreed to establish a technical working group tasked with creating a centralized database to track steel imports, improve commodity classification, and support standardized customs valuation anchored on historical data. The partnership also covers initiatives on digitalization, automation, and data-driven governance, including enhanced stakeholder accreditation through the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Similarly, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCII) voiced its backing of the Bureau of Customs as it moves to implement broad and stringent governance reforms aimed at preventing corruption both within the agency and in its external dealings. “In light of the recent issues affecting the Philippine government, it is good that there are leaders such as Commissioner Nepomuceno, who uphold integrity in good governance and create a very competitive and business-friendly environment for businesspeople such as the FFCCCII,” FFCCCII President Victor Lim was quoted as saying. These improvements in modernization, reform, and partnerships are directly reflected in the agency’s performance to start 2026. Recent developments show that the bureau exceeded its January revenue target while sustaining aggressive nationwide operations against large-scale and high-value smuggling activities. Last month alone, the BoC collected P80.744 billion, surpassing its revenue target by P513 million and posting a 100.6% collection efficiency. The figure also reflects a P1.49-billion increase, or 1.9% growth, compared to the P79.254 billion collected in January 2025. Along with robust revenue performance, the BoC scaled its enforcement efforts across the country. In January alone, the agency carried out 66 successful operations, leading to the confiscation of smuggled and prohibited goods estimated at around P886.8 million. Among the most significant captures were illegal drugs valued at more than P309 million, including P114.566 million worth of narcotics hidden in shipments falsely declared as malachite stones. Authorities also seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco products worth roughly P209 million, highlighted by the discovery of an illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in Pampanga during a raid last Jan. 28. These gains in policy, technology, and interagency cooperation have also translated into tangible results on the ground, most evident in a series of seizures that show the BoC’s efforts. In the first week of January, Customs authorities seized smuggled cigarettes worth more than P105 million in Bataan and shut down an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in Mexico, Pampanga in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to dismantle illicit trade networks and protect government revenues. At the same time, Mr. Nepomuceno ordered an investigation into alleged smuggling activities at the Port of Manila, temporarily relieving a Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service field station chief to reinforce internal accountability. These efforts were further underscored by the seizure of P428 million worth of suspected counterfeit clothing in Tondo, Manila, involving a shipment of 1,287 boxes of counterfeit apparel that arrived in the country in August 2025, reflecting the bureau’s continued focus on both border enforcement and institutional integrity. Overall, recent reforms, partnerships, and sustained enforcement show the BoC making measurable progress in curbing smuggling while protecting revenues, trade integrity, and public trust. — Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/special-features/2026/02/06/728920/tightening-the-gates-against-smuggling/
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Business & Finance
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dea7630dedb785c15ceaf85a26fa5ccd2b16d302d7d2006472b6655b97d0120c
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2026-02-05T16:05:28+00:00
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To mourn or not to mourn
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Movie Review Hamnet Directed by Chloé Zhao
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https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2026/02/06/728765/to-mourn-or-not-to-mourn/
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Business & Finance
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523601a3f0aac92469dc43d0231d68c0822b662a093fe0e1ca6294de1229858d
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2026-02-05T16:05:23+00:00
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Megaworld to develop 18-ha beachside village in Nasugbu
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LISTED property developer Megaworld Corp. is developing a beachside residential village along the coast of Nasugbu, Batangas, which is expected to generate P7 billion in sales by 2032. The 18-hectare (ha) project, called Villa Scala, will rise within the 116-hectare Nascala Coast and will feature 217 prime residential lots, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday. Villa Scala will be developed by Megaworld subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), which specializes in master-planned tourism and leisure townships. Lot sizes will range from 407 square meters (sq.m.) to 1,081 sq.m. The village is scheduled for completion by 2032. Inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the development will offer views of Nasugbu Bay, the West Philippine Sea, and nearby mountain ranges. Future residents will also have access to nearby leisure facilities for activities such as yachting and sailing, Megaworld said. The village will feature its own Villa Scala Clubhouse, designed with Positano-style, cliffside Mediterranean architecture that reflects Southern Italian coastal living. The clubhouse will have floor-to-ceiling glass walls that allow natural light to enter, while its infinity pool will offer seaside views. Other amenities include function rooms, a fitness center, and an open courtyard. About 40% of the village will be allocated to open spaces, with 15-meter-wide roads and an underground cabling system for electrical and telecommunications utilities. The village will be complemented by commercial hubs, leisure destinations, expansive commercial lots, mixed-use centers, and town centers within Nascala Coast. Nasugbu, located about 112 kilometers south of Metro Manila, is home to several luxury resorts and private beaches. “With this village, we envision to continue developing Nascala Coast into a thriving coastal address where generations of families can flourish,” Megaworld Global-Estate, Inc. First Vice-President Rachelle P. Hernandez said. Villa Scala is about a 2.5-hour drive from Metro Manila and an hour from Tagaytay City. It is accessible from Bonifacio Global City and the Makati central business district via major roads such as the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), the Ternate-Nasugbu Highway, and the upcoming Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX). Megaworld is ramping up its provincial expansion this year with a P65-billion capital expenditure budget, 30% higher than the P50 billion allocated last year. The company reported a 14% increase in earnings in the first nine months of 2025. Megaworld shares rose by 0.45% or one centavo to close at P2.24 apiece on Thursday. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728815/megaworld-to-develop-18-ha-beachside-village-in-nasugbu/
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Business & Finance
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12042c5b7fafd91c8fab0e7904fd13bcae40d1e401ff3bbed99528207d5c4f0f
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2026-02-05T16:04:45+00:00
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EastWest Bank expects sustained asset growth
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EAST WEST BANKING Corp. (EastWest Bank) expects sustained asset growth this year, still driven by its consumer business. “We’ve looked at it, maybe [assets could grow by] low to mid-teens. Again, keep it steady. We’ve been doing that for the last three years, so no change in strategy. It’s really how you sustain that growth over time that really matters,” EastWest Bank Chief Executive Officer Jerry G. Ngo told reporters late on Wednesday. He said their consumer business will be the main asset growth driver as it still accounts for a majority of its loan portfolio. “Most of our assets are consumer lending. So, that’s what we’re looking at. Maybe, again, for the past three years, it’s been low to mid-teens. And that is sustainable over a period of time.” The bank is looking to further expand its auto and home loan portfolios, Mr. Ngo said, adding that about 25% of EastWest Bank’s loan book is made up of auto loans, while credit cards comprise a bigger portion. Salary loans also take up about a quarter of its portfolio. Their loan-to-deposit ratio is at the 70%-80% range, he added. Steady expansion in assets, loans, and deposits, which are all growing at about the same pace, keeps the bank liquid, giving them the flexibility to be opportunistic in tapping the bond market, Mr. Ngo said. “We’re actively looking. We’re actively waiting for the right time. But there’s no impetus. Our liquidity is strong and sufficient. But the pricing is good right now, so we’re also waiting for the right time.” He added that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ ongoing easing cycle and potential cuts to banks’ reserve requirement ratios could also boost their liquidity further. While EastWest Bank could consider issuing bonds if there is enough investor demand, corporate activity in the capital markets has been increasing, he said. “We’re waiting for a clear market.” In 2023, the bank approved a P30-billion bond program, with issuances expected over a five-year period. No drawdown has been made so far. EastWest Bank last tapped the domestic market in February 2020, raising P3.7 billion from an issuance of three-year fixed-rate bonds. Meanwhile, the bank will also continue to invest in improving its artificial intelligence capabilities, Mr. Ngo added, which they expect to help in managing their operating costs over time. “We’re studying that specifically. But I think the most important improvements are how do we leverage on those capabilities to make our relationship managers more effective? How do we augment capabilities? How do you make advice better?” he said. “That’s something that we want to focus on going forward, is to see how we could take that across relationship managers. It will still be people to people, but people augmented with artificial intelligence.” EastWest Bank’s attributable net income rose by 6.25% year on year to P2.48 billion in the third quarter of 2025, driven by its consumer book. This brought its nine-month profit to P6.62 billion, up by 13.81% from the same period in 2024. Its shares went down by 10 centavos or 0.8% to end at P12.46 apiece on Thursday. — Aaron Michael C. Sy
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https://www.bworldonline.com/banking-finance/2026/02/06/728794/eastwest-bank-expects-sustained-asset-growth/
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Business & Finance
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abbc370345c5d4199c0c4e643cfa2f5cfd263ba0d07caf8dbcacf63e7a512c2b
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2026-02-05T16:04:23+00:00
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SM Prime unit completes 8.3-ha Provence village in Batangas
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SY-LED SM Prime Holdings, Inc., through its leisure residential arm Highlands Prime, Inc., has finished its 8.3-hectare (ha) French-themed residential development, Provence, in Talisay, Batangas. The development features 119 residential lots sized between 240 square meters (sq.m.) and 451 sq.m., with about 14 lots per hectare. It is located within Tagaytay Midlands along Lakeside Fairways Drive in Talisay. Provence takes inspiration from French countryside living, rising on an elevated site with views of Taal Lake. Amenities include an infinity pool, multipurpose pavilion, tree-lined roads, and independent infrastructure to ensure stable water and power supply. “To capture the tranquil beauty of the French countryside, generous open spaces and landscaping are woven throughout this 8.3-hectare development, a vision that clearly resonated with discerning buyers as reflected in the substantial number of lots already sold,” Highland Prime Senior Vice-President Mary Eleanor Mendoza said. She added that the property’s cool climate, nature-oriented spaces, and leisure amenities complement the exclusivity associated with Tagaytay Highlands. “Provence also offers a refined residential setting that complements Tagaytay Highlands’ signature brand of luxury mountain living,” Ms. Mendoza said. The development is accessible from Metro Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX). The project reflects SM Prime’s ongoing expansion into the premium, lot-only residential segment as an alternative to its urban high-rise projects, amid an oversupply of mid-income condominiums in Metro Manila. In the first nine months of 2025, SM Prime’s net income rose 10% to P37.2 billion, with the residential segment contributing P32.6 billion in profit. On Thursday, SM Prime shares gained 0.24% or five centavos to close at P21.30 apiece. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728814/sm-prime-unit-completes-8-3-ha-provence-village-in-batangas/
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Business & Finance
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80de3668f1b0eb47cf784927828c21bafb926d067707ce86374186032e7e6ec1
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2026-02-05T16:04:08+00:00
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Impeachment complaints: Not exactly bad timing
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https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2026/02/06/728748/impeachment-complaints-not-exactly-bad-timing/
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Business & Finance
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e25965b8f38bc29063b46f5dd7c5466cce638fc3201c6fc01ee01bbc619c18cf
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2026-02-05T16:03:45+00:00
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Peso jumps to 7-week high on rate cut bets
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THE PESO soared to a seven-week high against the dollar on Thursday as faster-than-expected January inflation strengthened expectations of a final rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) this month. The local unit jumped by 28 centavos to close at P58.69 versus the greenback from its P58.97 finish on Wednesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed. This was the peso’s strongest finish since ending at P58.555 on Dec. 18, 2025. The local currency opened Thursday’s trading session slightly stronger at P58.95 against the dollar, which was already its worst showing of the day. Meanwhile, its intraday best was its closing level of P58.69. Dollars traded rose to $1.436 billion from $1.209 billion on Wednesday. “The dollar-peso traded lower and closed at its intraday low after the BSP signaled that they were nearing the end of their nearing cycle. Feb. 19 might be the last cut before they hold for a while. The latest inflation figure was supportive of BSP’s signal that they should end their easing cycle,” a trader said by phone. January headline inflation picked up to 2% from 1.8% in December, but slowed from the 2.9% in the same month last year, the government reported on Thursday. This was the fastest in 11 months or since the 2.1% in February 2025, which was also the last time the monthly print was within the central bank’s 2%-4% annual target. It was also higher than the 1.8% median forecast from a BusinessWorld poll of 18 economists, but was within the BSP’s 1.4%-2.2% estimate for the month. “The inflation outlook continues to be benign while inflation expectations remain well anchored,” the central bank said in a statement. It said that while the economic outlook has weakened further as governance concerns and global trade uncertainties continue to weigh on business sentiment, they expect a gradual recovery in domestic demand amid the lagged impact of their previous rate cuts and as the government ramps up its spending. “On balance, the Monetary Board sees the monetary policy easing cycle as nearing its end. Any further easing is likely to be limited and guided by incoming data,” the BSP added. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said on Sunday that a cut is possible at their Feb. 19 meeting if they see the need to support domestic demand. This, as Philippine gross domestic product growth slowed to a five-year low of 4.4% last year, missing the government’s 5.5%-6.5% target, largely due to the economic fallout from a corruption scandal that affected both public and private spending. The Monetary Board has reduced benchmark rates by 200 basis points since August 2024, bringing the policy rate to 4.5%. S&P Global Ratings’ positive outlook for the country also supported sentiment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message. S&P said in a Feb. 3 report that the Philippines remains on track for a possible credit rating upgrade as improving fiscal and external balances outweigh risks from the government’s flood control controversy. For Friday, the trader sees the peso moving between P58.50 and P58.90 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P58.60 to P58.80. — Aaron Michael C. Sy
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https://www.bworldonline.com/banking-finance/2026/02/06/728793/peso-jumps-to-7-week-high-on-rate-cut-bets/
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Business & Finance
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bcda0529a49265f64c6165b8a1aa93e497b854d3c3dbe2866f9018eb55ec4ee4
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2026-02-05T16:03:27+00:00
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Stuff to Do (02/06/26)
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1 of 6 Drop by the Art Fair THE 13th edition Art Fair Philippines is now being held at the Circuit Corporate Center One at Circuit Makati, from Feb. 6 to 8. The fair will be spread throughout six floors of the office building. There will be hourly P2P buses from the One Ayala transport hub on EDSA corner Ayala Ave., to cater to fairgoers coming from the central business district. The bus will stop right in front of Circuit Corporate Center One. This year’s fair will have exhibitors from the Philippines, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Spain. The ArtFairPH/Projects section will focus on modern masters and contemporary visionaries namely Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Ambie Abaño, Max Balatbat, Ged Unson Merino, Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, Filipino diaspora artists from Berlin-based Sa Tahanan Co. collective, Spanish artist Ampparito, and four late Filipino masters: Brenda Fajardo, Constancio Bernardo, Solomon Saprid, and Romeo Tabuena. This year’s ArtFairPH/Talks, handled by the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, will present daily discussions that dive into the evolving art landscape, including project artists’ work at the fair and experts’ views on art collecting and the art market. Speakers and specific topics for the 2026 sessions will be announced on the fair’s website. The ArtFairPH/Digital section will feature painter and graphic artist TRNZ’s animated short film The Keeper, created in collaboration with Fleet Studios. There will also be an immersive installation by TLYR Collective. Complementing the fair is the 10 Days of Art initiative, a series of events, public installations, and museum openings held around Makati City from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8. A regular day pass to the fair is P750. Tickets for students, senior citizens, and PWDs with valid IDs are P500. Makati students and teachers with valid IDs can get tickets for a discounted price of P300. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.artfairphilippines.com. They will also be available at the reception area for the duration of the event. For more information, visit the Art Fair Philippines website and follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram (@artfairph) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/artfairph). Hop on Pasinaya’s Paseo Museo tour THOSE who want to immerse themselves in the artistic landscape of Manila and Pasay can join the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Pasinaya 2026 hop-on, hop-off tour Paseo Museo. Slated for Feb. 7 and 8, visitors who register for CCP Pasinaya can take the free shuttle provided by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines at the terminal along Vicente Sotto St. and explore 19 museums and galleries across the two cities. It follows a pay-what-you-can scheme. The participating venues are: Adamson University, the Asian Institute of Maritime History, Bahay Tsinoy, Baluarte de San Diego, Calle Wright, Casa Manila, Centro de Turismo, Museo de Intramuros, GSIS Museo ng Sining, the Manila Clock Tower Museum, Museo Pambata, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, the National Museum’s Anthropology, Fine Arts, and Natural History complexes, the NCCA Gallery, PWU-SFAD’s Jose Conrado Benitez Gallery, and UP Manila’s Museum of a History of Ideas. Tours start at 9 a.m., with the last trip at 4 p.m. This is part of the CCP Pasinaya 2026: Open House Festival, the country’s largest annual multi-arts event. With over 150 shows, workshops, and activities in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature, there’s something for everyone across the CCP Complex and partner museums and galleries. The festival works on a pay-what-you-can system. Visit the Luneta Art Fair THE Luneta Art Fair, a large-scale showcase of traditional and non-traditional artworks from up-and-coming artists, collectives, creative spaces, art schools, and galleries from Metro Manila and beyond, is taking place on Feb. 7 and 8 at Rizal Park. The event is free to the public. For this year’s edition, there is a spotlight on seven artists: Gelo Andres, Ululay, Kulas Jalea, Patrick Kent Oaferina, Jirah Millano-Perea, Joveneil De Guzman, and Pipesman. Over at Papakape Luneta, there will also be an indie film showcase held in the afternoon of both days, featuring films from CIIT students and Awkward Penguin filmmakers James Robin Mayo and Thop Nazareno. See PETA’s Kislap and Algo AFTER their debut at PETA’s Control + Shift: Changing Narratives in 2024 and 2025, the bold experimental works Kislap at Fuego and Children of the Algo are now back on the stage until Feb. 7 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Moving from the experimental fringes to the spotlight, these two productions headline the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) Main Theater Season as a twin bill performance. Dominique La Victoria’s Kislap at Fuego, directed by Maribel Legarda and J-mee Katanyag, with a Filipino translation by Gentle Mapagu, revolves around an unexpected fairytale between a kapre and a country girl, set amidst the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Mixkaela Villalon’s Children of the Algo, directed by Johnnie Moran, delves into the lives of Gen Z content creators, hiding their deeper realities while navigating the digital age with wit and vulnerability. For more information, including performance dates, ticketing, and educational engagements, visit PETA’s social media channels. Join in some praise and music ARANETA CITY’S Gateway Mall will be hosting a Praise & Worship Pop-up on Feb. 7 at the Activity Area, Upper Ground Floor, Gateway 1. Kate Torres will lead the pop-up worship session. Cheer on elite jiu-jitsu fighters ARANETA CITY will be hosting the ASEAN International Jiu Jitsu Open at the Quantum Skyview, Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2 on Feb. 7 and 8. The event will unite elite fighters from across the region for an action-packed showcase of technique and strength. View a Lion Dance Competition CELEBRATE culture, skill, and spectacle this Lunar New Year at GH Mall’s South Wing Atrium where, on Feb. 8, 10 a.m., the 2nd Lion Dance Invitational Competition returns, now recognized as a Gold Winner in the IBA Stevies 2025. Held in partnership with Pawchester and the Huang Lion & Dragon Dance Group, GH Mall transforms into the ultimate arena for the nation’s most elite lion dance troupes. The competition will feature two divisions, each competing for a P50,000 grand prize: the Junior Division, which is a showcase of young talents and rising stars, and the Pro Division, featuring high-intensity performances by seasoned masters. GH Mall is located at the Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Go for a run and dance with Ateneo alumni THE 2025 Ateneo Grand Alumni Homecoming, the Ateneo de Manila University High School Batch 2000 will hold OBF: ONE BEAT FEST, a Sundown Fun Run and Music Festival, on Feb. 8, 3 p.m., at the Ateneo de Manila University Campus. Participants of the run are requested to sign up at https://myruntime.com/register/one-beat-fest-fun-run. The Ateneo High School Batch 2000 will co-host the event together with Ateneo Batch 2001, which will serve as hosts of the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2026. The fun run will support the Ateneo Alumni Association Order of the Blue Eagles Scholars, retired Ateneo teachers, and the Ateneo Track and Field Team. Get nostalgic with Bagets the Musical BAGETS THE MUSICAL, a stage adaptation of the 1984 coming-of-age film Bagets, follows a group of high school friends navigating adolescence, family, friendship, and young love. This production by Newport World Resorts, The Philippine Star, and VIVA Communications, is directed by Maribel Legarda, with a book by J-mee Katanyag and music by Vince Lim. The five leads are played by Sam Shoaf, Milo Cruz, Noel Comia, Jr., Ethan David, and Andres Muhlach. They alternate with Jeff Moses, Migo Valid, Tomas Rodriguez, KD Estrada, and Mico Hendrix Chua. Also in the cast are Neomi Gonzales, Natasha Cabrera, Mayen Cadd, Ring Antonio, and Carla Guevara Laforteza. Bagets the Musical runs until March at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City. Tickets, ranging in price from P1,000 to P4,000, are now available at the Newport World Resorts Box Office and via TicketWorld. Travel the world with the Brickman Wonders GMG PRODUCTIONS has announced that the Manila leg of the global tour of the exhibition Brickman Wonders of the World will be extended until March 8 at The Space at Solaire. It features over 45 iconic landmarks from across the globe, all brought to life in LEGO brick form. Visitors can walk through recreations of famous sites such as the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more. Tickets are available exclusively on TicketWorld. Do not sing along with Les Miz THAT is the plea of GMG Productions which has brought Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular, a reimagined staged concert production of the iconic musical, to the Philippines. “Let the cast tell the story,” it exhorts. That cast includes Filipinos: Lea Salonga and Red Concepcion as the Thénardiers, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, and Emily Bautista as Éponine. The expanded concert-like format features a new design and production enhanced with new set and lighting designs, bringing Cameron Mackintosh’s critically acclaimed production to life on a scale never seen before in Manila, with a company and crew of over 110, including an international all-star cast and a large ensemble of musicians. Les Misérables runs at the Theater at Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Entertainment City, Aseana Ave., Parañaque until March 1, with no extensions possible. As of now, all 48 shows are sold out. But keep checking as you never know.
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https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2026/02/06/728763/stuff-to-do-02-06-26/
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Business & Finance
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26d53a50a77e43e915bad809280ebd519dac2b6010f72a48242b4142140fd7fd
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2026-02-05T16:03:22+00:00
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Asiabest Group invests P100M to launch modular construction unit
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ASIABEST GROUP International, Inc. said its board of directors has approved a P100-million investment to establish its wholly owned subsidiary ABG Modular, which will focus on modular construction and sustainable building solutions for the property development sector. “The Board approved the incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary, ABG Modular, and the investment thereto,” Asiabest Group said in a regulatory filing on Thursday. ABG Modular will target sectors such as housing, commercial projects, infrastructure, schools, and community facilities, the company said, adding that it will be a vertically integrated supply, logistics, and manufacturing company. The subsidiary will have an authorized capital stock of P100 million and an initial subscribed capital of P10 million, fully owned by Asiabest Group as the parent company. Asiabest Group said ABG Modular is set to form a joint venture with Concrete Stone Corp. (CSC), which is expected to provide precast components, scale up operations, and support projects. At present, the company is deferring acquisition of CSC shares, citing that the timing conflicts with the incorporation of ABG Modular as it focuses on building operating momentum for the new subsidiary. “In the meantime, further acquisition of CSC shares is deferred as to timing under a phased approach, as the Corporation prioritizes ABG Modular to pursue near-term opportunities and build operating momentum,” Asiabest Group said. The company referred to its September 2025 announcement to acquire 10 million primary common shares of CSC at P15 each. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728813/asiabest-group-invests-p100m-to-launch-modular-construction-unit/
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Business & Finance
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9b0da39708e51bf51d260522285052f9aa4faaa4df42dec3cd564c9bcaf4e05f
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2026-02-05T16:03:08+00:00
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Beyond access: Why digitization alone will not empower Filipino households
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https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2026/02/06/728747/beyond-access-why-digitization-alone-will-not-empower-filipino-households/
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Business & Finance
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12746876fbf4ac296511d4af3f8133d9287c9a1ebc11333ee2dc90364fd8686b
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2026-02-05T16:02:30+00:00
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PHL topped ASEAN in GenAI vulnerability — ILO
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THE PHILIPPINES faces the highest level of jobs at risk due to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a research brief issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report, Generative AI and Jobs in the Philippines: Labour Market Exposure and Policy Implications, found that 27.2% of the Philippine workforce — equivalent to approximately 12.7 million workers — is potentially vulnerable to disruption by GenAI technology. Corresponding rates for Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam were between 21% and 22%. While the headline numbers suggest a massive shift in the labor landscape, the ILO said that exposure does not necessarily equate to a looming unemployment crisis. The authors of the brief clarified that “exposure does not equate necessarily to full job replacement but rather the automation of tasks within occupations.” The study found that only 3.6% of jobs fell into the highest GenAI exposure category with an elevated risk of job displacement. Instead of outright job replacement, the brief argued that the most significant impact on the Philippine labor market is likely to be the “transformation of jobs, potential gains in productivity and enhanced employment quality.” The study underscores how AI affects different demographics, noting that “GenAI vulnerability is not gender neutral.” Women face double the rate of GenAI exposure compared to men, reaching 40.3%, which reflects their greater concentration in high-exposure occupations such as clerical support and services and sales. The ILO said women with advanced educations face a “particularly high potential of GenAI disruption.” While the exposure rate for those aged 15-24 is slightly lower than that of adults, the report warned that young people are more likely to fill occupations at greater risk of displacement, with the potential impact being “greater for young women than for young men.” Geographically, the impact is concentrated in urban centers where the Information Technology–Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry is concentrated. In the National Capital Region, around two in five jobs are exposed to GenAI, a trend mirrored in Central Luzon and Calabarzon, where exposure exceeds 30%. To navigate the looming transformations, the ILO recommended that “tripartite efforts prioritize measures that ensure the benefits of GenAI are inclusive” and prepare the workforce for evolving occupational profiles. This includes supporting enterprises — especially MSMEs — in adopting AI, strengthening digital infrastructure, and fostering collaboration with industry. The ILO also noted in its brief the need for education and training programs to include AI and digital skills, with complementary labor market measures and income support for those affected by workforce changes. “Moreover, given the uneven distribution of GenAl risks across the economy, differentiated regional and sectoral strategies are needed to avoid deepening prevailing inequalities,” the ILO added. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
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https://www.bworldonline.com/labor-and-management/2026/02/06/728799/phl-topped-asean-in-genai-vulnerability-ilo/
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Business & Finance
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9898ba24b7511189b26b23f29562722cd2a67acc0ae6dabb92c1ce075a2c1bca
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2026-02-05T16:02:22+00:00
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SEC clears Century Properties’ P5-B bond offer
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THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved listed developer Century Properties Group, Inc.’s (CPG) planned P5-billion bond offer, which is expected to support its nationwide residential project pipeline. In a stock exchange disclosure on Thursday, CPG said it received from the SEC an order of registration and a certificate of permit to offer securities for the bond sale. The offering consists of a base principal amount of P3 billion, with an oversubscription option of up to P2 billion. The coupons are set at 6.5080% per annum (p.a.) for four-year Series D Fixed Rate Retail Bonds due 2030, and 7.6280% p.a. for seven-year Series E Fixed Rate Retail Bonds due 2033. The bonds will be listed and traded through the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. China Bank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet said funds from the bond sale will support CPG’s expansion in both its affordable and premium residential segments. “CPG has one of the best investment stories in its category and the bonds have attractive rates, so we are confident in market demand for this offering,” he said in a Viber message. Last year, the Antonio family-led developer announced plans to launch two horizontal projects in Pampanga and Cavite targeting the premium residential segment. Meanwhile, its affordable housing brand, PHirst Park Homes, Inc., has 31 active projects across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and Bacolod City. In June 2025, the CPG unit said it plans to launch 10 residential projects over the next two years, focusing on seven key regions in the Philippines. For the first nine months of 2025, CPG posted a 17% increase in net income to P2.1 billion, driven by strong demand in its affordable housing business. At the local bourse on Thursday, CPG shares rose 2.6% or two centavos to close at 79 centavos each. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728811/sec-clears-century-properties-p5-b-bond-offer/
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Business & Finance
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a7f673e27cd64df3173afd55884453616dc91459880c338717a5a785d0218a78
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2026-02-05T16:02:07+00:00
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In defense of the Holy Fiscal Deficit: Accounting and economics
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https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2026/02/06/728746/in-defense-of-the-holy-fiscal-deficit-accounting-and-economics-2/
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Business & Finance
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dbf7d8ab026f9fd75119656d582fc93ae801b1085299d5d4a20298e9f6dbac91
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2026-02-05T16:01:44+00:00
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Visa sees AI-powered shopping taking off
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GLOBAL PAYMENTS technology company Visa expects agentic commerce, or artificial intelligence (AI)-powered automated online shopping, to gain traction in the Philippines once worldwide adoption widens. “This is one of the exciting innovations and trends that we’re seeing. Our role as Visa is we detect and see how things are progressing and ensure that we enable towards that and prepare for it. So, as and when it happens, definitely it will largely be driven [by adoption] in some parts of the world, and then it comes to us,” Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey F. Navarro said at a media briefing on Thursday. He added that pilots for agentic e-commerce are already happening in the Americas. Last year, the company announced that it will be rolling out Visa Intelligent Commerce in Asia-Pacific, which will bring integrated application program interfaces and a commercial partner program to AI platforms. Visa said it was in talks with Ant International, Grab, and Tencent to grow AI commerce. Mr. Navarro added that Visa will work with regulators to help set industry standards and regulations for the technology. “So, in the evolution of agentic commerce, where payment is a key component of completing the commerce, Visa also participates in really agreeing on what the standards are so that it becomes very seamless,” he said. “When it comes to Philippines, and given that this is relatively new, then most likely there will be discussions, and we’re going to talk about it with the central bank as and when we feel that there’s traction already.” For now, Mr. Navarro said Visa is working to ensure that the country’s payments infrastructure is ready to handle these kinds of new technologies via its clients. “But I think what’s very important is being ready, and being ready means let’s not wait for it to happen or not. There are things that are very foundational that clients need to do like passkeys or tokenization. Whether that happens or it doesn’t, that needs to happen because that’s the foundation for security and preventing fraud.” APPLE PAY Meanwhile, Mr. Navarro said there is strong demand from Philippine banks for the integration of Apple Pay as players await its domestic availability following the launch of Google Pay here last year. He said Visa is in talks with its clients and is prepared to help them with the possible rollout as demand for contactless payments continues to grow in the country. — A.M.C. Sy
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https://www.bworldonline.com/banking-finance/2026/02/06/728790/visa-sees-ai-powered-shopping-taking-off/
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Business & Finance
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bd37acef08a7d9982a76a2c6e2fd4bc4e273b02b0900798a02eb84ec0fab98f9
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2026-02-05T16:01:28+00:00
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How to cure demotivation
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https://www.bworldonline.com/labor-and-management/2026/02/06/728797/how-to-cure-demotivation/
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Business & Finance
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7500723c12212482301a4e6bc4c4af9d87252b711283f320f87a7707be28de0c
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2026-02-05T16:01:21+00:00
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NEO Office PH partners with Holcim to co-process office waste
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SUSTAINABLE OFFICE developer NEO Office PH has partnered with Holcim Philippines, Inc. to adopt cement kiln co-processing for waste collected in its office buildings, aiming to reduce landfill waste. The partnership leverages Holcim’s global waste management brand Geocycle to ensure responsible co-processing of post-consumer waste from NEO’s office towers, the company said in a statement. Qualified residual waste will be converted into alternative fuels and raw materials for cement production. Waste collected from NEO buildings will be processed at Holcim’s Norzagaray Cement Plant in Bulacan. “Together, we are turning everyday building waste into valuable resources, proving that responsible development can drive both environmental impact and business value,” NEO Group Chief Executive Officer Raymond D. Rufino said. The move supports NEO’s push for a low-carbon office portfolio by integrating circular economy practices. “By bringing Geocycle’s co-processing technology into our waste management approach, we’re reinforcing our commitment to circular economy principles, turning waste into value and helping deliver real, measurable ESG (environmental, social, and governance) outcomes,” NEO Co-Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer Gie L. Garcia said. NEO’s portfolio spans 289,000 square meters across seven office buildings in Bonifacio Global City — One/NEO, Two/NEO, Three/NEO, Four/NEO, Five/NEO, Six/NEO, and Seven/NEO. Its towers have been recognized by local and international green building certifications, including the 5-Star Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE), Advancing Net Zero Philippines (ANZ/PH), International Finance Corporation’s EDGE Zero Carbon, and the WELL Health-Safety Rating under the International WELL Building Institute. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
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https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2026/02/06/728810/neo-office-ph-partners-with-holcim-to-co-process-office-waste/
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Business & Finance
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a19e51362eb34324aa02223a2a0e1cc570809e904c0d9496aaf9196f94741ab9
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2026-02-06T06:30:46+00:00
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Japan’s Takaichi eyes decisive mandate as polls point to snap election landslide
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The poll showed that the LDP-led coalition was likely to secure more than 300 of the 465 seats in the Lower House.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/japan-election-takaichi-ldp-landslide-polls-ldp-trump-innovation-party-nikkei.html
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Business & Finance
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9ccc24c2f405f808d70a0c1b978f20fd340b45ff8263f4eeebdc601bc07cc04b
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2026-02-06T15:32:07+00:00
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India is reportedly 'ready' to buy up to $80 billion in Boeing aircraft following trade deal with U.S.
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An Indian government minister shares details about India-U.S. deal timeline and New Delhi's potential to buy more American goods.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/india-buy-boeing-aircrafts-80-billion-trade-us-deal.html
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Business & Finance
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e2ff27ebe5d49ab11e3d41f5a897a0b3b594c85a9f866d8ce6453d3372b1c54e
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2026-02-05T09:15:37+00:00
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CNBC's Inside India newsletter: The facts — and frictions — of the U.S.-India trade deal
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The India-U.S. trade deal is a significant breakthrough, but is laced with terms that can cause friction between the two nations.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/cnbcs-inside-india-newsletter-the-facts-and-frictions-of-the-us-india-trade-deal.html
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Business & Finance
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9c02f01f1815281ff8f244f69b675906c82e110a9a8b9e1f4fbd43e84b794cbf
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2026-02-06T04:41:29+00:00
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BYD shares set for six-week slump after posting two-year low in sales amid China EV slowdown
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At least six major Chinese electric car brands reported a sharp sales drop in January from December, according to CNBC's analysis.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/chinas-ev-slowdown-persists-as-byd-posts-near-two-year-low-in-sales.html
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Business & Finance
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4a9d17de2511772a459e96187c1d95ed181c2a8082cb436a1a1a5a66ffa992f4
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2026-02-06T05:10:42+00:00
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AI fears pummel software stocks: Is it 'illogical' panic or a SaaS apocalypse?
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The software space is facing serious market concerns this week, after the release of new AI tools from AI triggered a market sell-off.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/ai-anthropic-tools-saas-software-stocks-selloff.html
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Business & Finance
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997d267c1a18c3f7a61af481634b73a9b3a991eae2d25d8816fadb030dcd62ab
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2026-02-06T21:09:07+00:00
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Stellantis announces $26 billion hit from business overhaul; shares plunge
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Stellantis said it expects to take a 22-billion-euro ($26 billion) as it overhauls its business to accelerate the rollout of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/stellantis-reset-business-electric-vehicles.html
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c58d0b8a25f6644e3794dd77c015d1701e762a55d2709cde0c5c41cad1dd89a7
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2026-02-06T16:57:28+00:00
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European stocks close higher as bumper earnings week concludes
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The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally advanced 0.9% by the end of the trading session, reversing morning losses.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/europe-markets-stoxx-600-ftse-100-earnings-rio-tinto-glencore-share-price.html
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0e8864700cde8f0e8a5786a1ec7da44486ff0b96b8f386c3a4f00bd2ca5cd8b9
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2026-02-06T17:27:07+00:00
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Hims & Hers shares tick lower after Novo's legal threat
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Hims & Hers stock ticked lower Friday after Novo Nordisk said its newly announced Wegovy pill copy was illegal and that it would take legal action.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/wegovy-hims-hers-stock-novo-nordisk-pill-latest.html
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77bdd353c4e468eec03fdea64890d33e1ca84c7154bfe0321e8e3cb95ea3bbd0
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2026-02-06T06:09:49+00:00
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U.S. asks American citizens to 'leave Iran now' ahead of high-stakes talks with Tehran
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Differences over the scope for the talks have also cast doubts on whether it will still go ahead, keeping open the risk of U.S. military action.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/us-asks-american-citizens-to-leave-iran-now-ahead-of-high-stakes-talks-with-tehran-.html
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Business & Finance
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bfdad58609f38857079fc8edac81c5d4da481a3466558f1f479129471a2a802f
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2026-02-06T10:25:18+00:00
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Toyota promotes finance chief Kenta Kon as CEO in second leadership change in 3 years
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Toyota Motor has announced that its chief executive Koji Sato will step down, and be replaced by the automaker’s chief financial officer, Kenta Kon.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/toyota-ceo-koji-sato-to-step-down-and-be-replaced-by-cfo-kenta-kon-profit-forecast.html
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36d7a34127738058d03f1ee8f71f043e9bddb94135baa69ea22bcc5c46899d87
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2026-02-06T20:18:51+00:00
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Amazon stock falls 8% on $200 billion spending forecast, earnings miss
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The company also said it expects capital expenditures to hit roughly $200 billion in 2026, compared with $146.6 billion estimated by analysts.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/amazon-amzn-q4-earnings-report-2025.html
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Business & Finance
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a457569aae44c9efdb23dfadb2f4b6ed2fd398b9efc059fab2501b3677536e3e
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2026-02-06T07:30:01+00:00
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CNBC Daily Open: Amazon one-ups its rivals on capex spending, but investors are already worried over AI valuations
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Amazon's capital expenditure projection comes in at $200 billion, above analysts' estimates of $146.6 billion and higher than the roughly $131 billion in 2025.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/cnbc-daily-open-amazon-one-ups-its-rivals-on-capex-spending-but-investors-are-already-worried-over-ai-valuations.html
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Business & Finance
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a64e99745ae54a6dc816cffdcf44e18659f0ea611d23ab5af9edb88286d9adac
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2026-02-06T06:12:26+00:00
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India's central bank keeps policy rates steady at 5.25% as U.S., EU trade deals set to support growth
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Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the policy rate to remain unchanged at 5.25%.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/rbi-keeps-rates-steady-after-us-eu-trade-deal-.html
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4d6f57f1bacb096db4fd1073830417a8cd3c0b3c254490ad6929e8fc21578137
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2026-02-05T18:58:45+00:00
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Warren to call for reversal of Trump's UAE chip sales after 'Spy Sheikh' revelations
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President Donald Trump made a deal in May to send 500,000 of the most advanced U.S. AI chips to the United Arab Emirates.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/warren-trump-chip-sales-spy-sheikh.html
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Business & Finance
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66a24e50c83e41bb7c5e2d52b0d5dca8e876040da6591fc8428b8d87b1a514d6
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2026-02-05T15:25:45+00:00
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Why Asia's richest man and BlackRock CEO want Indians to pick equities over gold
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Indians are among the leading buyers of gold in the world, but the country has been seeing increasing financialization of savings, with mutual funds growing in popularity.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/ambani-fink-reliance-blackrock-gold-equities-.html
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Business & Finance
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d909d9f83b9f4f845a5cccb6fe0a383d557bef057c8c8354820f12a7af34baea
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2026-02-06T00:39:45+00:00
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Bitcoin drops 15%, briefly breaking below $61,000 as sell-off intensifies, doubts about crypto grow
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Some market watchers have suggested $70,000 is a key level to watch and a break below that could lead bitcoin to decline further.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/bitcoin-price-today-70000-in-focus.html
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Business & Finance
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664ddaa9f8f8ee7decde78d75c636dc1e47f91c7fa56b53351d72374761be7f2
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2026-02-06T02:24:21+00:00
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U.S.-China power struggle thrusts Panama Canal back into the spotlight
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It follows a contentious decision from Panama's top court to rule against a Hong Kong-backed firm’s right to operate two key terminals on the waterway.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/panama-canal-us-trump-china-xi-ck-hutchison-ports.html
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Business & Finance
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9b561e33c41e468381f37ca232ccb0b2bd379ef6148a8f73854d0cbdcfb88da2
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2026-02-07T09:35:06+00:00
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Dividend yields of 6.3%! Here are 2 stocks to consider buying for passive income
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When looking for dividend stocks to buy, the enormous 9%+ yielders will often catch the eye. But much like one of those bargain all-you-can-eat buffets, they’re often too good to be true. In other words, they’re traps. However, the following pair of dividend shares look solid to me. What’s more, they’re not carrying measly 1%-2% yields. Each one is offering a forecast dividend yield of 6.3%. The first stock is Aviva (LSE:AV.) from the FTSE 100. With more than 25m customers in the UK, Ireland and Canada, the insurer likely needs no introduction. Over 7m UK customers hold two or more policies with Aviva. As we can see, the share price has done well, roughly doubling in five years. Yet the forecast dividend yield still sits at an attractive 6.3%. After its £3.7bn acquisition of rival Direct Line, it’s now the UK’s largest motor and home insurance firm. And between 2025 and 2028, managements expects a compound annual growth rate of 11% in operating earnings per share. Needless to say, this bodes well for the dividend prospects, with the market expecting a near-7% rise in the payout for FY26. Share buybacks are also set to resume this year, which could be supportive for the share price. One inescapable fact here though is that the insurance market is competitive, while a recession wouldn’t help anyone, including Aviva. But with the stock trading at a reasonable 11 times earnings, and the dividend prospects looking solid, I think Aviva is worth checking out. Next, we have TBC Bank (LSE:TBCG) from the FTSE 250. This one is probably less familiar, as it’s one of the two big banks in Georgia. That’s the country in the Caucasus, between Europe and Asia, not the US state. This geography helps explain why the stock has rocketed nearly 250% in five years. As trade routes through Russia became restricted after the war, Georgia emerged as a vital trade hub connecting China and Central Asia to Europe. It has additionally benefitted from skilled migrants arriving from Russia, as well as a tourist boom. TBC also has a strong presence in Uzbekistan, another high-growth economy that enjoyed 7.7% GDP growth in 2025. This helped the lender grow operating income by 17% in Q3, and monthly active customers by 14% to 7.46m. Meanwhile, the bank’s return on equity is consistently in the mid-20s, which is above the industry average for European and emerging market banks. The main risk I see is heightened political tensions, which resulted in less tourism revenues in early 2025. If this flares up again, it could hurt investment in the country, resulting in lower lending activity. As things stand though, the bank looks well set up to continue growing. Tourism has been bouncing back, helping the Georgian economy grow 7.5% last year. The UN projects growth of 5.4% in 2026, and up to 6% in Uzbekistan. The stock is trading very cheaply at just 5.5 times forward earnings, while boasting a forecast 6.3% yield. The payout is covered almost three times by expected earnings, offering a significant margin of safety. With TBC stock down 13% since July, I reckon this is a dip-buying opportunity worth taking seriously for passive income. The post Dividend yields of 6.3%! Here are 2 stocks to consider buying for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Aviva plc made the list? More reading Ben McPoland has positions in Aviva Plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/dividend-yields-of-6-3-here-are-2-stocks-to-consider-buying-for-passive-income-2/
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a9d639d90abddbcf8805e8f8375d6789c78ea17f7bbd3ed774b73bd51c19dbaa
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2026-02-07T09:21:00+00:00
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How much would you need in an ISA to target a £500 monthly passive income?
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An ISA can be used to earn a passive income, simply by using it to hold some shares that pay dividends. Sound simple? It can be – but how much passive income might such an approach generate? That depends on three key elements. First, how much money is in the ISA? Secondly, what is its average yield? That may move up or down over time even without changing the shares owned, as dividends can move up and down. The third factor is the timeframe concerned. Let me bring that to life with an example. Say someone wants to target £500 of passive income per month, on average. That adds up to £6,000 per year. For the sake of example, I will use a 6% dividend yield. That is over double the current FTSE 100 yield of 2.9%, but in the current market I think it is achievable while sticking to high-quality companies. At 6%, a £6k annual passive income would require an ISA of £100k. But an alternative could be to drip feed money in over time. Say the investor put in £100 a week and, instead of taking the dividends out, reinvested them – this is known as compounding. Putting £100 a week into an empty ISA and compounding it at 6% annually, it ought to be worth over £100k after 13 years. At that point, a 6% dividend yield could produce the passive income target I am using as an example. One thing that can eat into returns is stockbroking commissions, fees, and other charges. So it makes sense to spend some time hunting around for the best Stocks and Shares ISA. Each person will have their own criteria. Fortunately, there are lots of different Stocks and Shares ISAs available. As a long-term investor I like to find blue-chip shares with proven business models that I can tuck away in my ISA and then hold for years. One share I think investors should consider is FTSE 100 insurer Aviva (LSE: AV). Its 5.7% yield is already close to the 6% I mentioned above. I think it can keep growing as it has done in recent years, potentially pushing the prospective yield up. That is not guaranteed, of course: Aviva had a painful dividend cut in 2020. Aviva is the country’s biggest insurer, so one risk I see is smaller rivals trying to get some of its market share by competing on price, pushing down profit margins across the industry. But I also see that market leadership as a source of strength. It gives Aviva economies of scale, thanks to a huge client base. Plus, it enables the company to try and sell more than one service or product to a customer. That strategy has been working well for Aviva. The post How much would you need in an ISA to target a £500 monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Aviva plc made the list? More reading C Ruane has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/how-much-would-i-need-in-an-isa-to-target-a-500-monthly-passive-income/
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Business & Finance
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f51642024260722394cd7ccf389632f50467029ab5e239d260ffee6c07ca14ed
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2026-02-07T08:26:00+00:00
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A stock market crash might now be unavoidable. Here’s what I’m doing…
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Stock market crashes are impossible to accurately predict, but investors are always interested in when the next one’s coming. And the last fortnight might have pushed us closer to the edge. But I think there’s an upside to this. Let me explain. There are lots of things that could cause share prices to fall dramatically. Yet the biggest of them at the moment is artificial intelligence (AI) and I think this looks like a real problem. Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon have all announced progressively higher capital expenditure plans for 2026. In other words, they’re going even bigger on their AI spending. There was already scepticism about whether this is going to pay off. And the stock market’s general reaction to the news suggests there’s still concern about an AI bubble. Even if they’re right though, AI growth could still spell problems elsewhere. Both the US and the UK economies rely on high employment to drive strong consumer spending. If AI really does take off, it looks likely to threaten a significant number of jobs. And in that case, the rest of the stock market could be in big trouble if employment falls and spending drops. When it comes to stock market crashes, the lessons of history are relatively clear. Investors who own – and continue to own – shares in high-quality companies tend to do well over the long term. The so-called ‘Nifty Fifty’ was a collection of US stocks that investors thought were infallible. But they fell sharply during the 1973-74 stock market crash. Some never recovered, but the ones that did more than made up for it. According to estimates, a $1,000 investment in Philip Morris from 1972 would be worth around $43,000,000 today. Even if all the others had gone to zero, someone who bought all 50 before the crash would have done very well, over time. And that’s what I think investors need to remember in today’s market. The lesson of the Nifty Fifty resonates with me. So I’m trying to build my own collection of high-quality shares that I intend to hold onto whatever happens with the wider stock market. One of the stocks I’ve been buying is Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO). The firm’s an insurance broker for businesses that are too big for their local broker, but too small to interest global operators. Its big advantage is its scale. This allows it to attract better rates from carriers and offer its customers the kind of value they can’t get anywhere else. It also works the other way around – having more potential customers incentivises carriers to offer Brown & Brown better rates. And I think that amounts to an extremely strong long-term advantage. Even with the best companies, investing in the stock market always comes with risks. The Nifty 50 is a good example of this – a lot of strong businesses never recovered from the related crash. With Brown & Brown, the main thing that concerns me is the prospect of customers consolidating or going out of business. And AI automation might make that a real possibility. I can’t guarantee that all of my investments will work out. But what I can do is build a diversified portfolio to give myself the best chance of having the ones that do make up for the ones that don’t. The post A stock market crash might now be unavoidable. Here’s what I’m doing… appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Brown & Brown, Inc. made the list? More reading Stephen Wright has positions in Amazon and Brown & Brown. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/a-stock-market-crash-might-now-be-unavoidable-heres-what-im-doing/
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Business & Finance
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f407eb3187107f349f028b30d3f48f29fd3b81d289ce26e82da9754edc09cd65
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2026-02-07T08:16:00+00:00
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Down 25%, should investors buy this stock for less than Warren Buffett?
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During the second quarter of 2025, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway invested around $1.6bn in UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH). But the share price is down around 25% since then. Chances to get a better deal than the Oracle of Omaha don’t come around very often. So should investors seize the opportunity and buy shares? UnitedHealth has been through a lot recently. This includes the almost unimaginable event of the company’s CEO being shot on the way to an investor meeting. Other challenges have included rising medical costs, which haven’t been offset by higher premiums. And the firm is also being investigated in a couple of different ways. One focuses on the way the firm classifies its patients. The concern is that it might be exploiting the system to attract higher revenues by aggressively treating patients as more sick than they might be. Another is concerned with the relationship between the company’s insurance arm and its provision unit. There’s a potential issue of charging competing insurers higher prices. UnitedHealth’s Q4 earnings were strong as its vertical integration helped limit the effect of higher care costs. But while this helps with the firm’s resilience, there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think this means investors need to be honest with themselves. It’s one thing for Buffett – an insurance specialist – to see a potential opportunity, but not everyone has this level of insight. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) is another US healthcare provider. Michael Burry might be bullish on the Medicaid specialist, but the share price crashed 33% in response to the firm’s Q4 earnings. It’s easy to see why – the firm faced a number of challenges. Medical costs increased and changes to the classification system also caused them to receive less money for patients needing more care. On top of this, there were one-off adjustments and setup costs that dragged earnings down even further. And the company doesn’t expect things to improve until 2027. Setting rates is out of Molina’s hands and that means there’s always risk. Importantly, though, the firm has a clear long-term competitive advantage that’s still firmly intact. Compared to other companies, the firm has much lower costs. This comes from focusing exclusively on government-funded programmes and migrating all new patients onto a single system. This puts the firm in a much better position to make it through a downturn in 2026. As a result, I actually see the falling share price as a potential buying opportunity. There’s some disagreement about whether the UnitedHealth investment was made by one of Berkshire’s other managers. But a lot of people think it has the hallmarks of a Buffett investment. Even so, investors can’t just follow Berkshire into the stock without paying close attention. One of the things Buffett says frequently is that investors should stay within their own circle of competence. Molina, however, has some long-term advantages that I think even an investor like me can understand. The firm has a cost advantage over its rivals and it’s easy to see why that’s important. As a result, I think the crashing share price makes the stock look very attractive. So – for my own reasons – I’m going with Michael Burry over Warren Buffett on this one. The post Down 25%, should investors buy this stock for less than Warren Buffett? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Molina Healthcare, Inc. made the list? More reading Stephen Wright has positions in Berkshire Hathaway and Molina Healthcare. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/down-25-should-investors-buy-this-stock-for-less-than-warren-buffett/
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Business & Finance
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7c0ace41c8980c64c3d9529175ea967f1d2a9ed103768e7eb69fbb485f70b4b0
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2026-02-07T08:11:00+00:00
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Diageo shares are up 6% in a week. Is this the start of a huge comeback?
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After much deliberation, I recently bought some more Diageo (LSE: DGE) shares for my portfolio. The timing turned out to be pretty good – in the last week, the share price has jumped about 6%. Of course, the shares are still well down from their highs. But could this be the start of the rebound investors are looking for? Looking at Diageo today, there are plenty of reasons to be bullish. For a start, there’s a new CEO on board (Dave Lewis). And he’s already looking to streamline the business. According to Bloomberg, Lewis is considering offloading assets in China. Specifically, he’s looking to dump the company’s stake in baijiu-maker Sichuan Swellfun. I calculate that Diageo’s stake here could be worth around $1.7bn. So selling this could free up a fair bit of cash, enabling the company to pay down its sizeable debt pile. Note that there are plenty of other assets that Lewis could offload to streamline the business. Apparently, the company’s currently reviewing its ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team, which is worth around $2bn. Another reason to be bullish is that ‘old economy’ stocks like this are starting to get more attention from investors due to the fact that they’re relatively immune to artificial intelligence (AI). While AI’s going to disrupt a lot of companies, it’s unlikely to have a negative impact on an alcoholic beverages company. Of course, there are other forces that could disrupt Diageo’s business in the years ahead, including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, regulatory intervention (eg cancer warnings on alcohol bottles), and changing drinking habits. But in terms of AI, this company appears relatively safe and this immunity could potentially lead to a higher valuation. Speaking of the valuation, it remains low. For the year ending 30 June 2027 (next financial year), analysts are forecasting earnings per share of $1.69. So at today’s share price, we have a forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 14. That’s an undemanding earnings multiple for a company with a portfolio of world-class brands, so there’s definitely scope for an upward valuation re-rating at some point. One other thing worth pointing out is that earlier this year, a top-level insider at Diageo bought nearly £500,000 worth of shares. Insiders only buy stock for one reason – they believe it’s going up in price. Of course, it’s still too early to know if the recent share price move higher is the start of a major rebound. Disappointing half-year results later this month (23 February) could lead to share price weakness. Taking a medium-to-long-term view however, I’m optimistic that this stock can move materially higher. I believe it’s worth a closer look right now while it’s well below its highs. The post Diageo shares are up 6% in a week. Is this the start of a huge comeback? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Diageo plc made the list? More reading Edward Sheldon has positions in Diageo. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Diageo Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/diageo-shares-are-up-6-in-a-week-is-this-the-start-of-a-huge-comeback/
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Business & Finance
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fcd4ce7a33722d0b3542a6a660d2c15f89451c92bdf3dbd07daadda2a836d607
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2026-02-07T08:06:00+00:00
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Why the FTSE 100 has smashed the S&P 500 this week
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The FTSE 100 is up 1.36% this week, while the S&P 500 has fallen 0.7%. And this is just the latest update in what has been quite a run for UK stocks against their US counterparts. A stopped clock is right twice a day. But the FTSE 100’s recent outperformance isn’t just a case of being in the right place at the right time – there’s a deeper structural reason to take note of. It’s no secret that the S&P 500 has a much heavier concentration in tech stocks than the FTSE 100. And that’s been a huge advantage over the last few years, but the situation has changed recently. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a big challenge for the US index. On the one hand, investors are concerned that demand isn’t strong enough to justify the ongoing investments in data centres. On the other hand, there are concerns that existing software companies are about to see their competitive positions threatened by AI startups. So there’s been pressure here as well. The FTSE 100 hasn’t been entirely immune to this – it’s had its share of fallers. But nobody’s complaining about the index having a relative lack of tech exposure at the moment. One good week doesn’t make up for years of relative underperformance. The latest moves, though, mean the total returns from the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 are roughly level over the last five years. So where should investors look for opportunities right now? Have US stocks fallen enough to become cheap, or are UK shares finally picking up some momentum? I think there are opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. And building a diversified portfolio means looking to take advantage of both when chances to do so present themselves. One example is Bunzl (LSE:BNZL). The FTSE 100 company is a distributor of consumables such as coffee cups, cleaning supplies, and carrier bags. It doesn’t sound like an exciting business and organic growth has been limited recently, but the firm has an outstanding track record of growing through acquisitions. And it’s unusually good at this. This can be risky – there’s always a danger of paying too much in a deal and even the best investors have made mistakes. But Bunzl has an unusually strong investing discipline. Where other firms have started paying higher multiples, Bunzl has stuck to valuations of around eight times EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation). That doesn’t guarantee good returns, but it gives the company the best chance. Exposure to the weakest parts of the US economy combined with some unforced errors have caused the stock to crash 38% in 12 months. But I think it’s well worth considering at today’s prices. I think Bunzl is a great example of a fundamentally strong business dealing with some temporary challenges. But I expect the firm to fare much better over the long term. If I’m right, the current share price could be a really nice buying opportunity. And I also think there are similar opportunities in a number of US stocks that have fallen recently. The post Why the FTSE 100 has smashed the S&P 500 this week appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Bunzl plc made the list? More reading Stephen Wright has positions in Bunzl Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Bunzl Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/why-the-ftse-100-has-smashed-the-sp-500-this-week/
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Business & Finance
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c73030edc9f463bcdf56732f4398a43c40304287a3235f0154de35f8bf60045c
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2026-02-07T08:00:00+00:00
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How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a second income of £11,341?
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With inflation still running ahead of target and the cost of living continuing to rise, earning a second income from doing very little remains an attractive prospect. That’s why lots of people buy dividend shares. And with a bit of thought and some careful research, I reckon it’s possible to earn a five-figure second income. Here’s how. Given the financial pressures I’ve just described, it’s unlikely that many people will have a large sum to invest, especially those in their twenties. However, by investing little and often, I think it’s possible to build up a decent nest egg that could produce a second income for later in life. Let’s assume that it’s possible to find £100 a month. Based on this amount, the table below shows various combinations of timescales and rates of return to give an idea of how an ISA might grow. To give some idea at to what’s possible, the average annual return (with dividends reinvested) on the FTSE 100 from 2016 to 2025 was 7.9%. Over this period, the best year was 2025 (25.8%) and the worst was 2020 (-11.5%). Now let’s see how much of a second income could be generated by taking the highest amount in the table (£141,761) and assuming it’s used to create a portfolio of dividend-paying shares. For context, the highest amount is just over £600 less than the State Pension for someone with a full record of contributions. One share that I think’s worth considering as part of a diversified portfolio of dividend stocks is Persimmon (LSE:PSN). For 2025, I believe it’s going to pay 60p a share, although the consensus of analysts is 64p. If I’m right, the stock’s currently (6 February) yielding 4.2%. It wasn’t that long ago – 2022, in fact – that its payout was 235p. At the time, the yield was close to double digits. But the pandemic played havoc with completions, margins, and earnings, with the dividend suffering as a result. Even so, I think the group’s directors deserve a pat on the back for getting the business through the pandemic relatively unscathed. The group doesn’t have any debt on its balance sheet and it has lots of land on which to build. Its properties are also cheaper than its rivals. And I think there are some early signs that the worst could be over for the housing market. But recoveries are rarely smooth so there are likely to be a few bumps along the way. However, interest rates are widely expected to fall further, making mortgages more affordable. Structurally, there remains an under-supply of houses. The government’s also trying to remove certain planning restrictions that have historically been a barrier to housebuilding. Persimmon and other housebuilders will benefit if confidence returns to the market. If it does, there will be plenty of scope for the group to increase its dividend further. Analysts are expecting a 2027 dividend of 72.46p, implying a forward yield of 5.1%. Of course, there can be no guarantees. UK investors have a large number of dividend shares from which to choose. And I reckon those looking to establish a second income stream could consider Persimmon for their Stocks and Shares ISAs. The post How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a second income of £11,341? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Persimmon Plc made the list? More reading James Beard has positions in Persimmon Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Persimmon Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/how-much-do-you-need-in-an-isa-to-aim-for-a-second-income-of-11341/
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Business & Finance
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07e0e84550ff2cb59d6a99cbed2434280489829d64974a2f00bec28e1ba0dcec
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2026-02-07T07:51:02+00:00
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2 battered growth stocks down 45% to consider buying right now
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In the past few weeks, many growth stocks have been absolutely annihilated. As ever though, this simply creates opportunities to buy high-quality growth stocks at much lower prices. Here are two that have fallen more than 40% within a year. For investors willing to take a longer-term view, I think both are worth considering buying today. Sea Limited‘s (NYSE:SE) stock has crashed 45% since September, and is now trading under $110. This is disappointing because I bought its shares at $128 just before Christmas. This doesn’t worry me however, because I aim to invest for a minimum of five years. And over this sort of timeframe, I remain bullish on the company’s prospects. Sea Ltd operates three high-growth business segments: e-commerce, digital entertainment, and fintech. Its Shopee app is the most popular e-commerce marketplace in Southeast Asia, while its Garena platform owns hit battle royale game Free Fire. The fintech unit (Monee) offers credit and other digital financial services. In the third quarter, the company’s revenue jumped 38% to $6bn, including 60% growth in the fintech business. Net profit soared 145% to $375m. What’s exciting here is that Monee is growing strongly outside the Shopee platform. And looking ahead, the long-term opportunity to expand credit and insurance products across markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines is massive. According to research by Bain, Google & Temasek, over 70% of Southeast Asia’s 570m adult population is still unbanked (no bank account) or underbanked (limited access to financial services). E-commerce competition’s a risk though. It’s going head-to-head with TikTok Shop and Alibaba’s Lazada in Asia, and MercadoLibre in Brazil. Also, the firm’s profit margins can fluctuate as it invests to capture the long-term opportunities ahead. Volatility’s a given with this stock. With e-commerce and digital finance penetration in our markets still low but increasing, strong growth lays the best foundation to maximize our long-term profitability. CEO Forrest Li. After the sharp pullback, Sea stock’s now valued cheaply, with a five-year price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of just 0.4. For context, the ballpark figure for fair value is 1. Turning to the FTSE 100 now is RELX (LSE:REL), the owner of data and research platform LexisNexis. The group’s share price has collapsed 25% year to date, the worst Footsie faller in 2026, and a shocking 45% since May. The fear here is that law firms will start using AI tools for legal tasks instead of paying for a LexisNexis subscription. However, analysts at UBS reckon this risk is overblown. They estimate that the vast majority of RELX’s revenue isn’t at risk of AI disruption and if anything, most of its business is set to benefit from the technology. I agree. After all, AI models are only as good as the data they are trained on or can access. RELX owns vast, proprietary datasets in the legal (LexisNexis), scientific (Elsevier), and other sectors. Meanwhile, RELX has launched its AI-powered research tools, which are experiencing strong adoption among customers. So the sell-off appears to be completely overdone. The stock’s currently going for 15.5 times forward earnings, which is a massive discount to the past decade. RELX also now sports a forecast 3.3% dividend yield. The post 2 battered growth stocks down 45% to consider buying right now appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if RELX made the list? More reading Ben McPoland has positions in MercadoLibre and Sea Limited. The Motley Fool UK has recommended MercadoLibre, RELX, and Sea Limited. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/2-battered-growth-stocks-down-45-to-consider-buying-right-now/
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Business & Finance
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a4ca99c0480c295478e7d6ff94930dc56287dba0476b16c43cb0eaa75409eb30
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2026-02-07T07:50:00+00:00
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How much do I need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to earn a £300 monthly passive income?
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It’s estimated that approximately 15% of UK adults have a Stocks and Shares ISA. Many of these individuals will be using them to buy dividend shares to help provide a second income. As an added bonus, this cash can be enjoyed tax-free. So without having to work for it, how much would someone need in an ISA to earn an extra £300 a month? Let’s take a closer look. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions. The answer to this question depends on the level of return achieved. For example, the FTSE 100 currently (5 February) has a historic yield of 3.1%. With a return like this, an ISA would have to be worth £116,129 to meet our £300 a month target. But I reckon it’s possible to achieve a higher return by carefully choosing a diversified selection of high-yielding stocks. The 10 highest on the index are currently offering 6.4%, meaning our portfolio would need to be worth £56,250 to achieve our objective. Of course, dividends cannot be guaranteed. However, there are plenty of stocks that have a long history of steadily increasing their payouts and offering above-average returns. One such stock is British American Tobacco (LSE:BATS). It’s established a reputation for not only being a generous dividend share but also a reliable one. In fact, it last cut its payout in 1999. At the moment, the stock’s yielding 5.3%. There’s a handy calculator on its website that shows that someone investing £10,000 on 1 January 2016 would have received 37 dividends – worth £5,753 — over the 10 years to 31 December 2025. I reckon a return of 57.6% from doing nothing is amazing. But here’s the clever bit. If these amounts had been reinvested buying more BAT shares, another 271 would have been purchased over the period. This investment technique’s known as compounding. Over the decade, it means payouts of £7,978 would have been generated. That’s an overall return of 6.04%. At this level, an ISA valued at £59,603 would produce the equivalent of £300 a month (£3,600 a year) in dividends. Whether an investor chooses to treat this as a second income or to buy more shares is a matter of personal preference dictated by their circumstances. But either way, it’s nice to have the choice. Armed with this information, I can see why BAT is a popular share with income investors. However, it doesn’t appeal to everyone. For a start, it’s a ‘sin stock’, which is likely to put off ethical investors. And then there’s the health-related threats to its long-term revenue stream. Traditional cigarette smoking is in decline so the group’s investing heavily in other so-called ‘reduced-risk’ alternatives. It plans to be a “predominantly smokeless†business by 2035. And although their popularity is increasing, these new products are still a long way from producing the same level of revenue and earnings as conventional cigarettes. Ultimately, its dividend could come under threat although there’s no sign of this happening just yet. However, because of this potential long-term threat to its business, the stock’s not for me. Having said that, this doesn’t stop me admiring its income-earning properties. Personally, to earn £300 a month in passive income, I’d look elsewhere. Fortunately, there are loads of other high-yielding dividend shares on offer right now. The post How much do I need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to earn a £300 monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if British American Tobacco p.l.c. made the list? More reading James Beard has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended British American Tobacco P.l.c. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/how-much-do-i-need-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-earn-a-300-monthly-passive-income/
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Business & Finance
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0bc5a8fa821607260547680b316fe2b89761474f2f29a0afee0752d435773728
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2026-02-07T07:41:00+00:00
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3 UK dividend stocks tipped to grow 50% (or more) in 2026
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Dividend stocks delivered some staggeringly strong returns in 2025, with the FTSE 100 index as a whole delivering the biggest gains since 2009. Yet, even with such tremendous growth under its belt, the UK stock market might still have some big winners in 2026. And right now, institutional investors have their targets locked on a handful of more dividend-paying stocks set to potentially deliver explosive gains this year. So the question is, what are these potential winners? After strategic missteps, inventory mismanagement, missed earnings targets, and even a minor accounting scandal, B&M (LSE:BME) shares have been utterly decimated in the last few years. In fact, its market-cap has collapsed by almost 70% in the last two years. But with a new leader at the helm executing a fresh turnaround strategy, some institutional investors believe a massive buying opportunity may have emerged. Revenue growth remains lacklustre, but sales have begun slowly ticking up again. And with international operations building momentum, the experts at Berenberg believe B&M shares could surge by 70% from current levels if the turnaround is successful. Obviously, the stock comes with significant execution risk. And the fierce competitive landscape from other discount retailers only adds to the challenge. But with a 7.5% yield, the dividend stock could be worth a closer look. Domino’s Pizza (LSE:DOM) is another dividend-paying stock that analysts believe could be ripe for a turnaround. With the CEO recently stepping down and the economic landscape for pizza takeaway less than ideal, the company’s similarly been under significant pressure, with its shares being slashed in half since 2024 kicked off. But with a new loyalty programme rolled out this year, signs of improving unit economics emerging in Ireland, and an industry-leading store footprint, the team at Peel Hunt has issued a 275p share price target – roughly 52% higher than where the stock trades today. Of course, while the customer loyalty programme had a successful pilot scheme, that doesn’t mean a full-scale rollout will meet performance expectations. Continued macroeconomic weakness alongside UK pizza market saturation may prevent this target from being hit. Nevertheless, with a 6.1% yield on offer, this is another dividend stock worth investigating further. Another dividend stock on Berenberg’s shopping list is Mortgage Advice Bureau (LSE:MAB1). Just last month, its analysts reiterated a 1,150p share price target – roughly 50% ahead of where the stock trades today. The forecast mostly revolves around a UK housing market recovery narrative. An estimated 1.8 million fixed-rate mortgages are due to switch to variable rates throughout 2026, up from around 1.6 million in 2025. And with many households likely seeking to refinance, it creates a potentially lucrative advisory opportunity for this business. The company’s facing increasingly fierce competition from large banks offering mortgage advisory services directly. What’s more, the market seems to be pricing in multiple interest rate cuts throughout 2026. But if these fail to materialise, mortgage rates could actually start climbing again, lowering refinancing demand. With a 2.8% dividend yield on offer, Mortgage Advice Bureau could still prove to be a lucrative income opportunity. That’s why I think it deserves a deeper dive. But there’s no denying significant cyclical risk is attached. The post 3 UK dividend stocks tipped to grow 50% (or more) in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if B&M European Value made the list? More reading Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended B&M European Value and Domino’s Pizza Group Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/07/3-uk-dividend-stocks-tipped-to-grow-50-or-more-in-2026/
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Business & Finance
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f92afbbdd8afb20b16c2eee29cb6db3fb39543232195fa94be3df294a3357af1
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2026-02-06T21:29:15+00:00
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Police search properties linked to Mandelson over Epstein investigation
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The former ambassador to the US and Labour minister is under investigation for misconduct in a public office.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99k9yzzvm4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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69f348db45c2f2170936558934f87a81d670079fe6dd2511ae947be7507d6b6b
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2026-02-06T13:55:09+00:00
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Three things that could bring Starmer down - and what might save him
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Sir Keir's survival as Labour leader and prime minister hangs in the balance, writes Nick Eardley.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7j7n0nxvlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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739b951622e180f36e8bde3b0e744e0c78f003a53a036a391883250e5c80b168
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2026-02-07T02:45:38+00:00
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Lib Dem peer suspended again over harassment allegations
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The party says it "has now received legal advice" that a 2013 inquiry into the allegations "was flawed in several respects".
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgpg76l3q7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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9aa4903d1de834c02f258557e843090cb79d85dd79d3c10489eb8e3d6f7cdc20
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2026-02-06T15:57:13+00:00
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Head of firm founded by Mandelson to quit after Epstein releases
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Benjamin Wegg-Prosser concluded his association with Lord Mandelson - and references to them both in the Epstein files - was doing the business Global Counsel harm.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje1e3n8jgvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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89f01350337a45877e40d71da214fa731737e439a7084c7d5c1b05b9eac9aea8
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2026-02-06T00:42:34+00:00
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Increase school funding to meet need for special education, MPs urge
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A cross-party group calls on the government to "align funding to need", as ministers consider SEND reforms.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjg8j4g981o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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cf4c31740ad86dea67ac8edff2d6bbc55019b96fe8b8ea983e09f77a94bc96f9
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2026-02-06T16:02:44+00:00
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Government could be forced to release 100,000 Mandelson documents
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No 10 says it's the "early stages" of gathering documents related to the peer's appointment as US ambassador.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q4jk5pnl9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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6fd4eb6b42cd1b9367379fa1060383ad3237a2a88ee64eb36ac578d443a4f5e2
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2026-02-06T11:00:06+00:00
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Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after visa penalty threat
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The Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Angola have said they will cooperate on migrant returns.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8204g8lejo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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5095c6f0823c4d50429ab7c25b5289959c927feb64991782fce7800fb2e29e1a
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2026-02-06T15:07:05+00:00
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County council facing 'effective bankruptcy'
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Worcestershire County Council is asking for £71m in emergency support.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckglgzpkpk1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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0cdd740b1c0d6709bfec704325ca3cd9b73482996b78cf144358bc8d9c3ffa2f
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2026-02-05T22:02:53+00:00
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Trump backs Chagos handover deal, says No 10
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It comes after the US president suggested last month he could withdraw his support for the deal.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yx1wedww2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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9f7dc4fe8f7e1deec94e7571ad409cb06244d6557c3cc9a8dc459b366acbaaca
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2026-02-05T16:50:19+00:00
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Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years
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MPs and peers are presented with two renovation options and told to make a decision by the mid-2030s.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp2pzqr84o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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44ee0cc82cecb4cbac43e4d034b4db2f9618d10ed733320b1eafb778bd1d4f22
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2026-02-05T13:47:13+00:00
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Ex-Tory councillor unveiled by Nigel Farage as Reform's Welsh leader
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Farage said he had chosen Thomas ahead of the Senedd election because he was "battle hardened".
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgndvkv80ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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419633707b7db639e98525ac36bbfac747bbe88d2bbfb5cadef78957ee4f5d97
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2026-02-06T15:33:32+00:00
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Trial hears ex-MP is person of 'highest integrity'
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Former MP for Dewsbury will not give evidence in defence so character references read out instead.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp828qnr84yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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2ea3350991346dda94a5636b855eb20a760019ea9e1b39d6ceea705b8d235754
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2026-02-04T21:41:07+00:00
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Mandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggest
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Emails released by the US government suggest the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein planned to use the visa to meet young women in Moscow.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r4knee4gno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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35c0a006b28fd91176f13662a7eb870762dd6c838f19eafbd50ed0306916b43a
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2026-02-05T22:24:27+00:00
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Starmer apologises to Epstein victims for believing Mandelson's 'lies'
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The PM says the depth of the pair's relationship was not known when he was appointed US ambassador.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp37v4kyv3eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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b0331a0cc75231b665a04bde0f3c32f7f2d753c9235f812e4ce1eb74275edee8
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2026-02-06T06:16:32+00:00
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Asylum seeker barracks plans could face further delays
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The Home Office may need planning permission before using Cameron Barracks as accommodation.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77kkvn8jvlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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a14f0250e1390511f02e83e0cdc2ce34a7b097899ba2581d7503a9bf32b74b9a
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2026-02-05T14:04:39+00:00
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Community investment 'backs people' - Starmer
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Keir Starmer says the expansion of a government scheme could benefit towns in East Sussex.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn744w278o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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9a579bdf0fe6c43bb23c02718105aa160029444b1ee9e1683cd62841351ba6f4
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2026-02-05T17:22:58+00:00
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UK interest rates held at 3.75% but Bank says future cuts likely
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The Bank of England has kept borrowing costs unchanged but opened the door to cuts later this year.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx1vly05pvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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5fe8370d309dae2f551bfa6399c8a1fc3ed3b99358dbe6c3182ca5247fb4e71c
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2026-02-05T12:59:46+00:00
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Farage apology over school racism allegations does not go far enough, ex-pupil says
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The Reform UK leader was challenged on allegations of racism at his former school in a BBC documentary.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw1ewe9y93o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
b10b843a1f60545b433c9ff7cd4b434460cf210fdb63ff344d8bea2b80d6c949
|
2026-02-04T22:03:08+00:00
|
Ban on asylum seekers using taxis for medical appointments comes into force
|
It comes after a BBC investigation which showed people travelling long distances at high cost.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2peyj1vdgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
ac6d297c9424dac373ecb6aeec953a93c38122c48086e325e64e9ffb78ab675d
|
2026-02-05T09:24:46+00:00
|
MPs back plan to release Mandelson files after Labour anger forces climbdown
|
The PM is forced to back down over a plan to withhold some documents about the ex-minister's appointment as US ambassador.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyw0050p99o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
5582ab2a61b10355e9237d2759b196559e6d8071b12a1035e912d1052a53ff26
|
2026-02-04T13:19:27+00:00
|
New party Advance UK unveils by-election candidate
|
Author Nick Buckley, 47, says he wants to clamp down on knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g31g59y73o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
2d7a1f2d146fb9f1d6c2dbc33d37594f2bd92712c2bc9ce7f714747dd89a4f4c
|
2026-02-04T16:10:51+00:00
|
Mahmood defends immigration reforms amid Labour opposition
|
Around 40 Labour MPs have raised concerns about the impact of the government's proposals.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly1mn8k9e7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
cedae4dc9e553f4041e6e558bb14d8b745f2dbdd36759f3caa7a02306db34524
|
2026-02-04T05:58:38+00:00
|
Inside Reform: Laura Kuenssberg follows Farage's party as it experiences the glare of scrutiny
|
The BBC has spent time interviewing senior figures and witnessing Reform's work at the largest council it runs.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdjm1j34gko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
050f492ebf8505c04ef338168a1360187817be2d5aed0134a4238fbbc8236c06
|
2026-02-04T04:28:18+00:00
|
Court system on 'brink of collapse', former senior judge warns
|
An independent review made 130 recommendations - including creating a new criminal justice adviser to the PM - to improve the efficiency of the system.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1evxve8q7jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
7740811849cc0cb2cd7ae82c969adf396136e3a75f9bcb601d661e323b99d786
|
2026-02-05T06:11:30+00:00
|
'Hero' dog PD Finn's law not working, says handler
|
The law was changed after the German shepherd nearly died while protecting his owner.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c801zgjz98yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
f8d1e6a51464e608cbef3cea2f53a916635f90cd721d7a388e2b7053832ba35d
|
2026-02-04T03:15:34+00:00
|
Ban on phones in schools backed by House of Lords
|
The move comes just weeks after peers supported legislation to ban under-16s in the UK from social media.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3npyjyl7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
661e3ed6c6585ddfd29e2b09e1727368654cf3be7d9812f681c38793dec3cd21
|
2026-02-04T10:42:34+00:00
|
Three quarters will survive cancer by 2035, government promises
|
There are plans for earlier diagnosis and faster treatment in England but experts worry about lack of staff.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly139el05go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
05f5fc716b012c1d031f12d862608eb2aa3af5f248d6ef78c68a102715ea0f8a
|
2026-02-04T16:44:44+00:00
|
Who is Peter Mandelson?
|
A key Labour figure for decades, Lord Mandelson faces renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3edlg5w855o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
f91d732c4aa5307f1b63487180299b918ad143ba922d85086320d60911354ca4
|
2026-02-05T14:38:21+00:00
|
Could this be the beginning of the end for Starmer?
|
Few Labour MPs are publicly calling for Sir Keir Starmer to go but this is very serious moment for the PM.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c338g8n334mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
cff2a7826fdb754069ce94a8284a8ae3d0147976ed28f1e9dad0609ba83404e0
|
2026-02-05T15:40:56+00:00
|
What was the vetting process for Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador?
|
The PM has accused Lord Mandelson of lying throughout the process - but what did it involve?
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0n5700nrpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
db1872f8c84c43b3e9fa47cdffdfcf0a820a8fd4088b074ef15ccab2f2310ee5
|
2026-02-04T21:28:40+00:00
|
'I never left your side': Emails reveal more about Mandelson's Epstein friendship
|
Emails between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein appear to show their friendship was closer than suspected.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cevn33kgxgmo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
aa41e0193795bf6727632081e53a684cdb219c769c49ef8d48c4fc1eae9ef7b2
|
2026-02-04T15:58:07+00:00
|
Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal
|
The chaos of the parliamentary debate about the former Labour minister is just one sign of how quickly the mood in the party has soured this week.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw1j3j32y7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
8452ffa3f7ca4747618f8e844765f77659d8175951faef8a0bbee4861c6afd92
|
2026-02-02T22:13:06+00:00
|
What do emails between Mandelson and Epstein say?
|
Emails sent while Lord Mandelson was serving in government raise further questions about his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9vz8d0n85o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
4072d9835c94b3be181503575c7903c6e5659ffc2492ac9f6ab4ad7b862a9908
|
2026-02-04T11:04:25+00:00
|
'Finally got him to go today': Mandelson's emails to Epstein on Gordon Brown
|
Emails released by the US appear to shed new light on the dying days of Gordon Brown's government.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgx9525qy9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
7df30f15c88648b041a450ef521ea267ec75b2001c00fffcb58e51612166307f
|
2026-02-01T14:37:31+00:00
|
Confirmed Gorton and Denton by-election candidates
|
Who is standing in the Greater Manchester constituency of Gorton and Denton?
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkrpgvkd0no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
5277bbe97d003059c8de53dc888bf81b2af1b329d93d8b220d3bbc582efa5f6e
|
2026-02-02T13:42:34+00:00
|
Faisal Islam: Mandelson, Darling and the conversation I can't forget
|
The Epstein files appear to give extraordinary context to a call between the former chancellor and JP Morgan's boss.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kzmnr14lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
956f54844d73514b89336effe1b51b98b4cf42d1f5458c1d2d4df83db7467fd3
|
2026-02-02T16:51:08+00:00
|
Can a Reform leader in Wales share the spotlight with Farage?
|
Questions on who will call the shots remain unanswered, as Reform prepares to announce who will lead the party in Wales.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn56dd02977o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
e17d7939c213c165b449cff0a5c858ef4d09a168ec83c372aee6f6845e96f7c0
|
2026-02-05T09:23:32+00:00
|
Chris Mason: Starmer can ill afford any more days like these
|
Starmer is furious with Mandelson, and the mood among many Labour MPs is darkening, the BBC's political editor writes.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2pe8m4xk1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
fff6644ae7056c18056bf0291ea9222c3db2a934d18b5401859e4f35f47e68cc
|
2026-02-04T02:14:20+00:00
|
Chris Mason: Mandelson revelations a scandal on another level
|
Sir Keir Starmer's decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington a year ago gives this row political salience, the BBC's political editor writes.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8erj6z8x5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
e55fa44a76314004bb63d41488df41dd8ccd156264494e9ab0fb78ac6aafb312
|
2026-02-06T12:27:00+00:00
|
Americast
|
The president says he’ll honour the results "if the elections are honest”
|
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8bz3?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
c30e25f887b8233a410622ed9797f8c56922f9ac772b3fa07c951c4bddfc2f5b
|
2026-02-05T12:10:03+00:00
|
Farage unveils Reform UK's Welsh leader
|
Nigel Farage unveils Dan Thomas as Reform UK's Welsh leader at a rally in Newport.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cddg1532p7no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
55257148f0bad930cc72a3b9b6e4b02384dc2ad9fc77562244c35a1d245ac278
|
2026-02-04T18:28:02+00:00
|
Joining Reform would be like swapping football clubs, says mayor
|
Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says joining Reform would be like swapping Boro for NUFC.
|
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cje1q39vlqxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
b2de3d4b84b4ef7f3d30df33cb0f492d397ceb8d6977f53e4a3b7674ddd99a9d
|
2026-02-04T06:00:00+00:00
|
Reform: Ready to Rule?
|
Laura Kuenssberg examines whether Reform UK is ready to be a party of government.
|
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002qyk6?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
|
World & Politics
| |
a3ee00b826fe830f9935927e0535bc2b1989873bbd7ada3bbb20698e9425b216
|
2026-02-07T14:00:00+00:00
|
A cardiologist’s take on the new dietary guidelines
|
For the first time, the official guidelines read less like a math problem and more like common sense.
|
https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5724346-real-food-health-outcomes/
|
World & Politics
| |
6b5667fa9dd2a35346857f273277adb507539d0c8d8999f1d67a5a6b5a895ebb
|
2026-02-07T13:54:37+00:00
|
US, India announce framework for interim trade deal, including tariff cuts
|
The U.S. and India announced a framework for an interim trade deal in a joint statement Friday, an agreement the two nations said reaffirms their commitment to broader bilateral trade negotiations. President Trump announced earlier in the week that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to stop buying Russian oil in exchange for the…
|
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5727629-us-india-trade-agreement-framework/
|
World & Politics
| |
1835f729911226db041d29c6f3bfd65303a6f2cebb157c0b9d4af61faf4131fa
|
2026-02-07T13:40:03+00:00
|
Trump warns Iran of ‘steep’ consequences if no deal reached after ‘very good’ talks
|
President Trump on Friday called the recent talks between the U.S. and Iran “very good,” but said the consequences would be “very steep” if a deal is not reached. Despite the pressure, Trump acknowledged that negotiations take time, telling reporters late Friday that “we’re in no rush.” “You have to get in position. We have…
|
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5727581-trump-us-iran-talks-consequences-tariffs/
|
World & Politics
|
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