April inflation for poor households hits 2.9%

INFLATION for low-income households in the country picked up to 2.9 percent last month on the back of increasing prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.

Data from the statistics agency showed that the April figure was higher than March’s 2.4 percent, but lower than the 3.2 percent recorded a year earlier.

“A higher annual increase of 2.3 percent in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index primarily pushed up inflation during the month,” the PSA explained.

Higher annual growth rates were also seen in the indices of health at 3.6 percent; communication, 0.3 percent; and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.7 percent.

Consumer price growth for food at the national level accelerated to 2.2 percent from 1.1 percent a month earlier and 2.4 percent in April 2019.

Annual upticks were also seen in food groups, such as other cereals, flour, cereal preparation, bread, pasta and other bakery products at 2.7 percent; milk, cheese and eggs, 4.3 percent; oils and fats, 1.8 percent; fruits, 10.5 percent; vegetables, 8.3 percent; and food products not elsewhere classified, 13.1 percent.

Inflation for low-income households in the National Capital Region, meanwhile, eased to 1.7 percent last month from 1.9 percent in March and 2.9 percent a

In a POR as of Mar. 31, 2020, Fgen@ attrib” ted@ to@ the@ lopezowned First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPHC) direct ownership of 2,440,028,959 common shares, or 67.818 percent of 3,597,914,505 outstanding FGen common shares. The company credited the public with 1,124,918,093 common shares, or 31.266 percent.

Fgen@chairman@emerit”s ,@Oscar @ MN@lopez@and@F ederico@lN@lopez,@ board@chairman,@@are@both@direct@ and indirect stockholders, with ownership of 4,685,570 FGen common shares, or 0.130 percent, and 5,834,549 common shares, or 0.162 percent, respectively. Of the nine directors, two hold a nominal common share each, namely Alicia Rita L. Morales and Jaime I. Ayala. Eugenio L. Lopez 3rd and Cielito F. Habito own 150 FGen common shares and 100 common shares, respectively.

The rest of FGen directors and their ownerships are as follows: Francis Giles B. Puno, 8,090,930 common shares, or 0.225 percent; Richard B. Tantoco, 2,426,220 common shares, or 0.067 percent; year earlier.

“The slowdown in inflation was attributed to the annual decreases still observed in the indices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 2.2 percent; transport, 2.3 percent; and communication, 0.3 percent,” said the PSA.

Slower yearly growth rates were also noted in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.9 percent; health, 2.1 percent; and recreation and culture, 0.9 percent.

Inflation in areas outside Metro Manila, meanwhile, grew to 2.9 percent from 2.4 percent in March. The figure is lower than 3.1 percent in April last year.

and Peter D. Garucho Jr., 6,887,004 common shares, or 0.191 percent.

FGen has 38 executives in the list of officers but 17 of them do not own a common share. Thus, 21 executives hold 5,042,928 FGen common shares, or 0.140 percent.

FGen common shares peaked at a 30-day high of P19 on Apr. 30, 2020 when they opened at P18.54, hit a high of P19, dropped to a low of P18.44 and closed at their high of P19. The stock fell to a 30-day low of P14.30 on Mar. 19, 2020 when it opened at P15.20, hit a high of P16.60, dropped to a low of P14.30 and closed the session at P14.59.

FGen peaked at a 30-day high of P19 on Apr. 30, 2020 when it opened at P18.54, dropped to P18.44 and closed at P19. It fell to a 30-day low of P16 on Apr. 3, 2020 when the stock opened at P17, hit a high of P17.16 and closed at its high of P17.16. On May 15, 2020, it opened at its high of P18.28, dropped to P18 and closed at P18.04.

Who are the Lopezes? Just askingN@