More 'hot money' exits PH in January

Foreign capital continued to exit the Philippines in January, marking the second consecutive month of net outflows amid persistent global economic uncertainties, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

- By KEISHA TA-ASAN

Foreign portfolio investments registered with the BSP through authorized agent banks recorded net outflows of $283.69 million in January, nearly four times higher than the $75.83 million outflows recorded in the same month in 2024.

Despite this sharp year-on-year increase, January's outflows were 42 percent lower than the $487.37 million recorded in December.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., attributed the sustained capital flight to market jitters over the "Trump factor."