Atram CIO alerts investors on troika of risks this year By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
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ISINFLATION, policy shifts and external demand are the three nodes where risks, and opportunities, could arise this year, according to the Chief Investment Officer of ATR Asset Management Inc. (Atram). Atram’s Alessandra Araullo-Gonzalez explained in a statement the fund manager issued last Wednesday that investors should expect a “dynamic” economic environment, with opportunities and challenges shaping the investment landscape.
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“While disinflation is expected to continue through the middle of the year—benefitting from lower rice prices and a more stable energy market—potential threats to external demand could still slow economic growth,” Araullo said. A stronger Philippine peso is also seen by mid-2025, as interest rate cuts push foreign capital flows back to emerging markets, Araullo said. Atram also expects a steeper yield curve as monetary policy eases, inflation expectations rise, and bond supply increases, placing upward pressure on longer-term yields.
Meanwhile, Atram also announced returns in its unit investment trust funds (UITFs) and mutual funds (MFs) grew by double digits in 2024. Atram said its key funds delivered double-digit returns, particularly in the feeder fund space, which resulted in a 48-percent market share in the Philippines. Among UITFs, the Atram Global Financials Feeder Fund (PHP Class) posted the highest return at 34.46 percent, followed by the Atram Global Consumer Trends Feeder Fund (PHP Class) with a 31.72-percent gain. The firm pioneered feeder funds in
the Philippines, launching the first complete range of these products. “Atram’s top-performing feeder funds give Filipino investors access to globally managed portfolios through strategic partnerships with some of the world’s most respected asset managers, including BlackRock, Allianz, and J.P. Morgan,” it said. The Atram US Equity Opportunity Feeder Fund (USD Class) also recorded a 25.67 percent return while the Atram Philippine Sustainable Development and Growth Fund (A Unit Class) also grew by 17.61 percent.
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Thursday, February 27, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 138
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SLIP BELOW 2025 TARGET’ By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
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HE Philippines could see its economy grow below the government’s target this year due to potential volatility in inflation stemming from food supply shocks, according to UBS Investment Bank Global Research. In an online briefing on Wednesday, UBS Investment Bank Global Research Senior Asean and Asia Economist Grace Lim said the Philippine economy is projected to grow by 5.9 percent this year, lower than the government’s target of 6 to 8 percent. This is an “improved” growth outlook for the Philippines, 30 basis points higher than UBS’s earlier projection of 5.6 percent in 2024. However, Lim said potential risks from food prices, particularly in vegetables, might have weighed on consumer sentiment during the first two months of the year. “So that is a risk, but not one we See “PHL,” A2
FROM WATCHLIST TO WISHLIST The high-rise buildings of Ortigas Center, a 100-hectare central business district spanning Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City in Metro Manila, stand tall on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The Marcos
administration anticipates a surge in foreign direct investments following the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, signaling strengthened anti-money laundering safeguards. This development is expected to enhance the country’s financial reputation and attract more investors. NONOY LACZA
PBBM CITES NEED TO DO MORE DA to bring down MSRP on FOR 70% POOR PINOY ELDERLY imported rice to P49 a kilo By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
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ITH seven out of every 10 senior citizens still facing financial insecurity, President Ferdinand Marcos said the government needs to ramp up its support for the elderly age group. In his speech during the inaugural cash gift distribution to qualified beneficiaries of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024, the chief executive said 73 percent of senior citizens still
rely on their children for support. And, he added, 55 percent of those in the said age group still pay out of their pocket for their medical expenses. “I know that there is a lot more that needs to be done, not only by the government, but by the entire society to make the condition of our seniors more comfortable, safe, and comfortable,” Marcos said in Filipino. “Some also experience a lack of long-term care. Many are alone at home. There are others who See “PBBM,” A2
By Ada Pelonia
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@adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) will lower the maximum suggested retail price for imported rice to P49 per kilo starting March 1. This move marked the first time that the MSRP would slip below the P50 mark since it was introduced over a month ago. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., however, clarified that the MSRP would not be implemented nationwide. Instead, the agency will take a “surgical” approach, imposing the MSRP selectively in Metro Manila,
key cities, and other urban centers. “In many provincial areas, we’ve seen prices of imported rice already lower than the MSRP. So we will apply it more selectively,” Laurel said in a statement. “We will review the numbers in the coming days to determine if there’s room to lower the MSRP further. As of now, there could be scope for additional reductions, but we’ll have to see,” he said. DA first introduced the MSRP on January 20, which settled at an initial price of P58 per kilo. This was gradually reduced to ease the transition for the rice industry. It added that the measure aimed See “DA,” A2
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S) Notice is hereby given that the following companies/Employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s: ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.
NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE
ALAM FASHION PH INC. Sa-19 2/f Baclaran Bagong Milenyo, F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Russel Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City HOSSAIN SIFAT, MD TANJIL Marketing Consultant 1.
Brief Job Description: Interview potential vendors and select ones that best meet the needs of the organization.
Basic Qualification: Fluent in Bangladeshi language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
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PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 57.9080 n JAPAN 0.3886 n UK 73.3636 n HK 7.4492 n CHINA 7.9845 n SINGAPORE 43.3605 n AUSTRALIA 36.7310 n EU 60.8845 n KOREA 0.0404 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.4430 Source: BSP (February 26, 2025)