Bright Morning - 17 August 2026

Bringing the latest market news closer to you.

Macroeconomy

• The rapid drawdown of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve could damage the caverns that store the oil, experts warn. The SPR has tumbled below 300 million barrels for the first time since it was filled in the early 1980s, according to federal data released this week.
• The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' tightening cycle may be over as the country's sluggish growth will likely soften inflation, with rate cuts on the table for mid-2027, Standard Chartered Bank said. Jonathan Koh, the bank's senior economist said the BSP may adopt a "wait-and-see" approach.

Fixed Income

• Peso government bond yields were 3 bps lower with demand seen for 3-4Y tenors. Market participants remain cautious on duration with oil prices rising.
• US treasury yields rose by 5 bps despite weaker economic data. Weakness in European bonds spilled over to the US amid higher oil prices

Equities

• Global equities advanced as strong earnings and renewed confidence in Al-related profit growth outweighed softer inflation concerns. Investors increasingly looked through geopolitical risks and embraced a more constructive risk-on backdrop.
• The PSEi inched up 0.14% on Friday to close at 6,297, recovering modestly from the prior session's losses even as continued Peso weakness kept investor sentiment mixed.

Daily Market Movements