SENTIMENT this week will likely be driven by developments including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s report to the nation, the outcome of a US Federal Reserve meeting and a looming tariff deadline. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose for most of last week but fell ahead of the weekend to 6,

President Donald Trump listens as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a visit to the Federal Reserve, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington.

In the week ahead starting from July 28, the consolidation is expected to continue with focus on quarterly earnings, FOMC meeting, US trade deals update, auto sales, and several important economic data points from the United States,

President Donald Trump used a rare visit to the Federal Reserve on Thursday to renew his pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, telling reporters that costs to renovate the Fed’s buildings were exorbitant. Powell shook his head at times during the president’s remarks.

The Federal Reserve got a new legal headache Thursday when a money manager sued Chair Jerome Powell and other central bank policymakers in a Washington, D.C. federal court, arguing policy meetings should no longer be held behind closed doors.

The president toured the Federal Reserve’s headquarters with its chair, as the administration intensifies its campaign against his handling of the economy and the multibillion-dollar project.

The S&P500 and Nasdaq closed at records Friday, driven by upbeat tech earnings, Fed rate expectations, and resilient US stock market performance.