Philippine budget deficit outlook for 2010: shortfall not too bad?

In ABS-CBN's recent article, they reveal that each Filipino now owes P47,039 to local and foreign creditors, based on the national government's total debt stock as of September.

A month before that, each of the 92.2 million Filipinos owed P45,889. 

The culprit: the widening budget deficit that prompts the government to borrow some more. Additional debts, which address current funding needs but could be paid in the future, translate to more debt burden for future generations.

The fact that the Philippines has been spending more than it earns is not earthshaking. Even the richest of countries have budget gaps. But prudence dictates that this deficit, which is a fiscal policy issue, has to be manageable.  Read more... (850 words, 1 image, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)

5 IPOs for 2010

The market for initial public offerings (IPOs) is expected to rebound next year with at least five companies planning to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) as the subprime crisis subsides and economic greenshoots appear.

Ed Francisco, president of BDO Capital & Investment Corp. said the IPO market, which ground to a halt in 2008, is set for a revival next year as market conditions improve and volatility continues to normalize.

Among the companies that have signified their intention to go public are Northwind Power, ACM Landholdings, GA or Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp., and Mang Inasal Philippines.  Read more... (371 words, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)