J.P. Morgan: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may keep interest rates steady after hiking in April.

Siddharth Jamad of J.P. Morgan Chase wrote in a report that the Philippine central bank is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.50% at its next policy meeting in April, and will then maintain rates unchanged in the long term. The economist said, "We expect the Philippines to be hit hardest by growth-inflation negative impact, as the country is the largest oil importer in the region and heavily reliant on the Middle East." Inflation is expected to exceed the official target range of 2%-4% this month. J.P. Morgan Chase has lowered its growth forecast for 2026 from 4.5% to 4.0%, but raised its inflation forecast from 2.5% to 4.0%.