Philippines Implements Measures to Tackle Inflation and Rice Prices

The Philippines is taking proactive measures to combat rising inflation and stabilize rice prices, a significant staple. Among these measures, a proposed reduction in rice import tariffs aims to lower consumer costs. The government also encourages private-sector-driven rice imports while expediting shipment clearance processes, ensuring sufficient rice supply. To address potential crop losses due to El Niño, the farm ministry recommends additional rice imports of 500,000 metric tons. Despite recent inflation challenges, authorities are optimistic about price stability as farmers prepare to harvest around five million metric tons of rice in the coming months, contributing to the country’s annual target.
Exclusive: Airbus roiled by poor start to 2023 as industrial pressure grows

The boss of European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA) has read the riot act to executives about disappointing deliveries in January and warned them that in 2023 Airbus cannot deliver fewer jets than its now-abandoned target for 2022, industry sources said
India’s retail inflation breaches RBI’s tolerance level first time since October

India’s annual retail inflation in January rose above the central bank’s upper threshold for the first time in three months, on higher food prices, vindicating last week’s hawkish monetary policy stance
Dutch, Japanese curbs on chip equipment to China may not be tough enough -industry group

A chip industry group is warning that if U.S. allies do not adopt curbs on semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China that are comparable to U.S. controls, they will not be effective.
Analysis: The hardest part is yet to come for gas-hoarding Europe

Europe faces a much tougher task to rebuild gas stocks next year compared with this winter, meaning energy bills are likely to stay high and governments could have to implement painful rationing measures they have so far avoided.
Goldman Sachs to stop making unsecured consumer loans – source

Goldman Sachs Group Inc plans to stop originating unsecured consumer loans, a source familiar with the move told Reuters on Monday, in another sign the bank is stepping back from its consumer business.
Exclusive: Morgan Stanley to slash 2022 banker bonuses in Asia by up to half

Morgan Stanley plans to slash investment bankers’ annual bonuses by as much as 50% in Asia, said two people with direct knowledge of the matter, as the Wall Street firm reins in costs to tackle tough market conditions that have hit its revenue.
China’s trade suffers worst slump in 2-1/2 yrs as COVID woes, feeble demand take toll

China’s exports and imports shrank at their steepest pace in at least 2-1/2 years in November, as feeble global and domestic demand, COVID-led production disruptions and a property slump at home piled pressure on the world’s second-biggest economy.
Analysis: Investors look to emerging markets as planets align for end of dollar bull market

As the U.S. dollar tumbles from multi-decade highs, some investors are betting emerging market currencies will be big winners from a sustained reversal in the greenback.
Analysis: Markets sigh with relief after Powell speech, but more turbulence likely ahead

A rally in U.S. stocks and bonds powered ahead after a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday, but some investors believe a looming recession could cap gains in both asset classes.