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Is it Time to Invest in Bonds as BSP increases interest by another 75 basis points?

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# Is It Time to Invest in Bonds? Lately, I've been receiving questions about whether now is the right time to invest in bonds. With the latest market developments, I believe it's important to understand what's happening before making a decision. HSBC recently shared its expectation that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may increase interest rates by another **75 basis points**. The main reason is that inflation continues to rise due to higher oil and rice prices, even as economic growth begins to slow. So, what does this mean for investors? When interest rates go up, newly issued bonds typically offer higher yields. As a result, existing bonds become less attractive, causing their market value to decline. While investors who hold their bonds until maturity will continue to receive their promised interest, those who invest today could miss the opportunity to lock in even higher yields if rates continue to rise. At this point, I don't believe it's the best time t...

While We Watch SenateFlix, Our Economy Is Paying the Price

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The irony of the UniTeam governance is probably at its peak today. Every time I open social media, another episode of what people jokingly call "SenateFlix" appears on my feed. Every day seems to bring a new pasabog --- something that is either a predictable cliché or so unbelievable that you'd think it came from a scripted drama instead of real life. For many Filipinos, it has become a source of memes, entertainment, and endless online debates. But have we ever stopped to think about its long-term effect on our everyday lives? As someone working in investments and asset management, I honestly pity our local market today. The stock market doesn't move because of viral videos. Businesses don't grow because of political fan clubs. Investors don't put their money where there is noise. They put their money where there is confidence. And confidence is built through good governance. Imagine that the Philippines is a small business looking for investors. You invite p...

Local Stocks vs Global Stocks

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Local Stocks vs Global Stocks: Is It Time to Look Beyond Borders? As of June 2026, many local equity-based funds continue to face challenges, with most showing negative year-to-date and year-over-year returns. While the Philippine market remains an important part of the investment landscape, many investors are asking a practical question: Should a portion of my investments be positioned globally? According to Sun Life Investment Management, global investing allows investors to access a wider range of economic growth drivers, industries, and companies that may not be available in the local market. Global diversification can also help reduce concentration risk by providing exposure to different economies and sectors around the world. Today, some of the strongest growth opportunities are found in global markets, particularly in technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and emerging economies. Sun Life notes that global technology companies continue to b...

Welcome to My Blog: Insurance, Investments, and Building a Better Future

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  Welcome to My Blog: Insurance, Investments, and Building a Better Future Hi, I'm Advisor Lhee. I'm a Financial Advisor with Sun Life and a marketing professional who understands what it's like to be a young adult balancing multiple responsibilities, goals, and dreams. Over the years, I've had the privilege of meeting individuals, families, and business owners from different walks of life. One thing I've learned is that financial planning is not just about money --- it's about protecting the people we love, preparing for life's uncertainties, and creating opportunities for the future. Through this blog, I want to share simple and practical insights about insurance, investments, wealth building, and financial planning. My goal is to make these topics easier to understand, whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking for ways to grow and protect what you've worked hard for. You can expect articles about: Personal finance and money ma...