The month’s $869-million net inflow — smaller than October’s $2.017 billion — was still 16.9 percent higher on an annual basis. Net equity capital inflows also grew by 38.7 percent to $210 million as equity capital placements of $228 million more than offset the $18 million in withdrawals. Meanwhile, the BSP said net FDI inflows in the first 11 months of the year were driven largely by a 9 percent growth in net placements in debt instruments to $5.2 billion. Sought for comment, Land Bank of the Philippines economist Guian Angelo Dumalagan said net FDI trended inversely with the peso’s strength against the dollar. Moving forward, Dumalagan said that the peso’s recovery in December 2017 could lead to a corresponding monthly decline in net FDI inflows.

Source: Manila Times February 12, 2018 16:18 UTC