{
  "id": 5127444,
  "title": "Analysts see scope for one more BSP rate hike",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/analysts-see-scope-for-one-more-bsp-rate-hike",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/03/2553578/analysts-see-scope-one-more-bsp-rate-hike"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Analysts predict the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may conduct one more interest rate hike before the end of the year, despite three consecutive rate increases since April. The Monetary Board raised the target reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 5% on August 27, aiming to control inflation and curb supply-driven price increases. ANZ Research economists Kausani Basak and Sanjay Mathur anticipate the BSP to maintain the policy rate unchanged at its October 22 meeting before raising it again in December due to El Niño-related price hikes. Inflation eased in June and July, but risks remain high as El Niño pushes food prices higher and minimum wage adjustments take effect with a lag, keeping inflation above target next year. DBS economists Radhika Rao and Chua Han Teng believe most ASEAN central banks will stay on hold for the rest of the year, with the Philippines being the sole exception. The recent BSP hike was meant to contain inflation expectations and support the local currency, but renewed energy price increases, a stronger dollar, elevated global interest rates, and equity market volatility could prompt the BSP to tighten further.",
  "summary": "The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may need one more interest rate increase before year end as El Niño threatens food prices and the peso remains under pressure, analysts said, even as the central bank signaled it hopes to pause after three consecutive hikes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}