Businesses less upbeat, consumers more bullish
The Philippine Star|December 21, 2024
Businesses in the Philippines turned less optimistic for the first quarter next year and the next 12 months amid economic uncertainties leading up to the midterm elections, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas BSP).
KEISHA TA-ASAN
Businesses less upbeat, consumers more bullish

On the other hand, consumers turned more upbeat for the first quarter of 2025 and the next 12 months on expectations of higher income and more available jobs.

Based on the fourth quarter 2024 Business Expectations Survey (BES) of the BSP, the overall confidence index declined to 40.3 percent compared to a quarter-ago level of 56.8 percent.

The central bank attributed the respondents' less optimistic outlook for the quarter to the post-holiday decline in demand for products and services and business activities as well as stiff foreign and domestic competition.

Firms were also less optimistic amid increased economic uncertainty leading up to the midterm elections, the peso's depreciation against the dollar and higher costs of production.

This story is from the December 21, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 21, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINE STARView All
Dani Barretto Is Setting the Best Example for Siblings and Mom Marjorie
The Philippine Star

Dani Barretto Is Setting the Best Example for Siblings and Mom Marjorie

They say fortune favors the bold and this 2025, Dani Barretto is entering the year with a bang!

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2025
MELAI CANTIVEROS ON BISAYA
The Philippine Star

MELAI CANTIVEROS ON BISAYA

MELAI CANTIVEROS ADMITTED THAT SHE WAS often teased because of her Bisaya accent, but she would just laugh it off.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Global boy group search 'Be the Next: 9 Dreamers' premieres on TV5
The Philippine Star

Global boy group search 'Be the Next: 9 Dreamers' premieres on TV5

This February, the biggest K-pop stars and makers, together with the Kapatid network, will finally open the doors to \"Be the Next: 9 Dreamers,\" the global collaboration between MLD Entertainment PH and TV5.

time-read
1 min  |
January 11, 2025
Paolo Sandejas Sings About Saving LDR in a Happy, Hopeful Way
The Philippine Star

Paolo Sandejas Sings About Saving LDR in a Happy, Hopeful Way

Singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas has given his two cents on how to save a long-distance relationship, or LDR, in the single, manila to LA.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Jennifer Lopez Identifies With Real-Life Mom in 'Unstoppable' Film
The Philippine Star

Jennifer Lopez Identifies With Real-Life Mom in 'Unstoppable' Film

Jennifer Lopez found herself in tears as the real-life mom Judy Robles, whom she portrayed in the sports drama film \"Unstoppable,\" showered her with compliments for her performance.

time-read
1 min  |
January 11, 2025
Oops, I Did It Again
The Philippine Star

Oops, I Did It Again

Why do we keep making New Year's resolutions? Psychologists say it's about hope, a chance to wipe the slate clean, like pressing the reset button.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 11, 2025
Why Such Devotion to the Black Nazarene?
The Philippine Star

Why Such Devotion to the Black Nazarene?

The devotion to the Black Nazarene springs from a pre-colonial belief in miracles—that a fleeting touch can summon divine healing. The sight is humbling, almost otherworldly: a centuries-old statue of Christ, hewn in Mexico and darkened by the hands of time, borne on the shoulders of the faithful.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

How to evacuate a 300-pound pig

As wildfires blazed through Los Angeles on Wednesday, Ellen Marie Bennett shared a plea with her Instagram followers: could someone, ideally someone with a spare trailer, help evacuate her roughly 300-pound potbellied pig?

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2025
IF ONLY YOU CAN FLY, DELTA ONE STYLE
The Philippine Star

IF ONLY YOU CAN FLY, DELTA ONE STYLE

I'm enjoying my fruit and cream croissant and bloom tea while aircraft spotting when someone walks up to me and says that my ride (a black Porsche Cayenne) is waiting downstairs.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

Revisiting the CCP's mandates

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its inauguration.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 11, 2025