The Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) published data on inward foreign investments registered through authorized agent banks (AABs), showing 2024 registered inflows of USD17,932.40 million, up 39.2% from 2023. Full-year transactions produced net inflows of USD2,103.34 million, reversing USD248.84 million net outflows over the same period in 2023. In 2024, registered inflows were mainly in peso-denominated government securities (54.2%), with most of the remainder in PSE-listed securities (45.8%) concentrated in banks, holding firms, property, transportation services, and food, beverage and tobacco; other investments were under 1.0%. The United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong accounted for 86.3% of registered inflows, while gross outflows totalled USD15,829.06 million, up 20.5% year on year, driven by capital repatriation (96.0%) and with the United States as the main destination (49.8%). By instrument, PSE-listed shares recorded net outflows of USD897.53 million and peso government securities recorded net inflows of USD3,001.20 million. For December 2024, transactions recorded net outflows of USD487.37 million, reflecting gross inflows of USD1,055.47 million and gross outflows of USD1,542.84 million; inflows fell 43.3% from November 2024 and were broadly split between peso government securities (USD545.56 million) and PSE-listed securities (USD509.91 million). The BSP noted that registration of inward foreign investments delegated to AABs is optional under the foreign exchange rules, and becomes necessary when an investor or its representative will purchase foreign exchange from AABs and or their subsidiary or affiliate foreign exchange corporations to repatriate capital or remit earnings on the registered investment. The covered instruments include PSE-listed securities, peso government securities, peso time deposits with a minimum tenor of 90 days, other peso debt instruments, unit investment trust funds, and instruments such as exchange-traded funds and Philippine Depositary Receipts, and registration may occur after the underlying transaction and may not coincide with trade or settlement dates.
Central Bank of the Philippines 2025-01-31
Central Bank of the Philippines reports 2024 registered foreign investment inflows up 39% to USD17.9 billion with USD2.1 billion net inflows
The Central Bank of the Philippines reported a 39.2% increase in registered inward foreign investments through authorized agent banks in 2024, totaling USD17,932.40 million, with net inflows of USD2,103.34 million reversing the previous year's net outflows. Inflows were primarily in peso-denominated government and PSE-listed securities, while the UK, Singapore, the US, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong accounted for 86.3% of these inflows. Gross outflows rose 20.5% to USD15,829.06 million, mainly due to capital repatriation, with the US as the primary destination.