Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- Impact of El Nino on food prices could keep consumer prices steady in Feb., economists forecasts suggest.

• Consumer prices probably rose 1.3% y/y, matching rise in Jan., median est. in Bloomberg survey shows; range of ests. from 0.2% to 1.9%; data due 9am local time tomorrow
• Feb. inflation may be 0.9% to 1.7%, BSP Governor Tetangco said on Feb. 26; will take measures in step with price stability
• El Nino effect and new round of excise tax could push inflation to 1.4% in Feb., Finance Undersecretary Beltran said on same day, according to Philippine Star
• Inflation rate seen at 1.5% in 1Q, holding below lower limit of central bank’s 2%-4% target band, another Bloomberg survey shows
• Total farm losses due to El Nino estimated at 4.8b pesos ($102m) at end-Feb., Agriculture Dept. said yesterday
• Inflation matched est. in Jan., data released Feb. 5 showed; USD/PHP fell 0.2% to 47.660 that day
• USD/PHP down 0.4% today to 47.095