Business

A crane stacks shipping containers of Philippine products for export at the international container port in Manila on Sept. 11, 2012. (AFP / Jay Directo)  MELBOURNE, Australia — The Philippines hopes to launch formal free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union “very soon”, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told …

Positive news from the US boosted local stocks although the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) again failed to hold above the 7,000 level. The main index added 32.08 points or 0.46 percent to close at 6,951.67, boosted by gains of the Services and Property sectors. Volume was firm at 530 …

Located near the scenic Mount Makiling, SM City Sto. Tomas marks a significant milestone in SM’s expansion plans.   The new mall, conveniently located south of Manila, caters not only to Santo Tomas residents but also serves as a gateway to nearby areas in Laguna and Quezon. It’s the fourth …

The International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) net income attributed to equity holders in 2023 was down 17 percent to $511.53 million from $618.46 million in 2022 mainly due to non-cash impairment charges. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on March 1, ICTSI attributed the non-recurring and …

Workers are seen constructing Marikina’s flood control projects on May 30, 2023, ahead of the rainy season. Photos by Walter Bollozos / The Philippine STAR  MANILA, Philippines — Creating more jobs is a better way to improve lives than the proposed P350 minimum wage increase by the House of Representatives, …

The first-time homebuyer incentive has been discontinued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the federal agency announced on Thursday.  Deadline for last round of new or resubmitted applications is midnight ET on March 21, 2024. The first-time homebuyer incentive has been discontinued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation …

The Philippines registered $76 million in net outflows of foreign portfolio investments or hot money in January, lower than the $205-million net withdrawals in December 2023, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Friday.  It also marked a reversal of the $291-million net inflows recorded a year ago, data from …

The Body Shop will close 33 of its Canadian stores and end online sales, the Canadian subsidiary of the U.K. beauty and cosmetics shop announced.  Retailer previously said Canadian stores would not be impacted by U.K. branch’s woes. The Body Shop to close 33 Canadian stores The Body Shop is …

Former talk show host Oprah Winfrey is leaving the WeightWatchers board of directors and donating her stock in the weight management firm, the company said Thursday, sending its stock tumbling in early trading. Exit of celebrity shareholder comes at a time when WW is struggling to turn a profit. Former …

The Canadian economy expanded at an annualized rate of one per cent in the fourth quarter as high interest rates weighed on growth, but not enough to push the economy into a recession.  StatsCan says aside from first year of pandemic, growth in 2023 rose at slowest pace since 2016. …