Years of steady structural reforms under 4 Presidents, improved demographics, technology shifts and many other factors have been factors behind the Philippine growth story. I would like to personally thank the BSP for being a strong institution that has made all this growth a reality.

As I close this 2015 Outlook series, I believe that the best way to do so is to feature the views of one of my favorite economic icons in the country, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo. How I wish more and more people can learn from him which will not only give you wisdom, it will help you with your faith.

The 2015 Outlook of BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo

I continue to see the Philippine economy performing in accordance to its higher potential capacity. Four factors support this trend that many people may not be exactly aware.

One, with sustained technology application, total factor productivity has improved over the years. Two, economic efficiency has gained more traction. Three, labor market dynamics have been favorable with more educated, more trained graduates joining the labor pool. And finally, demographic factor has been supportive with more young people keeping the dependency ratio relatively low.

What drove these growth-positive factors have been the twenty years of steady policy and structural reforms. These are clearly a demonstration that the Philippine Government has attained a good sense of governance. Four presidencies have continued with building institutions. If nations fail because of bad institutions, one can therefore argue that the Philippines has achieved strong resiliency because it has been heavily engaged in institution building even through the Global Financial Crisis in 2007-2009.

It should not therefore be surprising if I will uphold the government target of 7-8 percent economic growth in 2015 and 2016. I see more diversified sources of growth: more investment and public spending supporting private consumption, manufacturing, construction and agriculture contributing to the growth process complimentary to services. That growth range has been achieved at some point in the past, I don’t see any reason why that should be elusive in the future. What we need to see is more infrastructure and infrastructure.

With investment grade continuing to go up, both domestic and foreign investment should remain bullish about the Philippines. Infrastructure including power should remain the focus of these investments.

With good supply prospects and pro-active monetary policy, helped by the decline in oil and other commodity prices, I see inflation averaging at a rate comfortably within the lower target range of 2-4 percent for both 2015 and 2016. The BSP and the national government have good monetary and fiscal space, respectively, to continue promoting price stability and good public finance.

On the external front, I see our initial forecast of sustained external payments surplus continuing to be broadly appropriate. The balance of payments should be able to bounce back strongly from a shortfall in 2014 to a surplus in both 2015 and 2015, with the current account expected to show increasing positive position of at least $6.0 billion.

These are premised on one, recovery in the global economy but at an uneven pace. This dimension is important because unevenness should lead to divergent monetary policies. US is turning the corner so I expect it to start preparing the stage for some tightening which could result in some capital outflows in the Philippines. Europe and Japan remain soft so monetary policy is needed to be accommodative which could drive some capital to flow to emerging markets including the Philippines. China and India are the other difficult challenges with structural issues threatening to pull them down so we should see a generalized easing among many central banks. All told, the asynchronous policies could pull each other apart and generate some volatilities in the global and regional financial markets. The Philippines should be very vigilant in monitoring these developments and should be prepared to act decisively as necessary.

I also expect to see our strong and stable banking system continuing to provide additional resiliency to the economy. Financial intermediation is expected to remain supportive of economic growth. With key reforms in place and expected to be pursued, market confidence should remain strong and this is something that does not come by easily.

There would always be some risks even at the tail end. This is the reason why the BSP is always doing stress tests and scenario building exercises to ensure we are not surprised by external shocks. This is the reason why we have a stable of early warning systems on the key sectors of the economy including the business cycle.

So paraphrasing Einstein, let me say that what is incomprehensible about the economy is that it is comprehensible.

Mr. Guinigundo is the deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in charge of monetary policy and operations, international relations and operations, currency management and regional monetary affairs. He was the Philippines’ representative at the IMF, Washington, DC as alternate executive director. Previously, he was head of research at the Southeast Asian Central Banks Research and Training Center in Kuala Lumpur. At present, he chairs the SEACEN Experts Group on Capital Flows and a member of the SEACEN Executive Committee. He sits at the NEDA Board, National Food Authority Council and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation Board.

Outside government, Mr Guinigundo is the senior pastor of a local Christian church, Fullness of Christ International Ministries, and advises the BSP Christian Fellowship. He leads in the nationwide Touching Heaven Changing Earth which aims to unite the body of Christ in the Philippines.

Interest rates, heightened geopolitical risks, global growth and many other factors will have an effect on 2015 and yet, Riza Mantaring, the CEO of the country’s number 1 life insurance company (Sun Life) feels that Philippine outlook is still positive. Ms. Mantaring’s company has been in the forefront of getting Filipinos financially abled and she views that there is still a lot to be done.

The 2015 Outlook of Riza Mantaring

Giving an outlook for the year almost seems like a shot in the dark given how wrong most people were last year — equities market expected to be slow in anticipation of higher interest rates and a global slowdown, but the PSEi ended the year up 22.8% and close to its all-time high; US interest rates expected to be up with the end of quantitative easing, but ended the year much lower; Philippine treasuries expected to move past 5% but ended at 4.5%; oil prices hit an all-time high mid-year at $107/barrel but ended at $53, a price not seen in years.

Again, this year, interest rates are expected to move up, and heightened geopolitical risks and global growth dragged by Europe and China may cause some volatility, but for the Philippines, our outlook is quite positive. Abundant liquidity, lower oil prices, and a slightly weaker currency will all contribute to strong domestic consumption. Aside from this, anticipation of election spending and increased government spending on infrastructure and public works can all contribute to higher GDP.

Riza is a member of the Sun Life Asia Executive Team. She has also participated in various international special projects and teams such as the task force for worldwide restructuring of the company, the task force for business processes, and special teams for Mergers & Acquisitions.

In 2010, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the University of the Philippines College of Engineering, she was selected one of the 100 Most Outstanding Alumni of the past century. In 2011, she was named by Moneysense Magazine one of the 12 Most Influential in Personal Finance. She is also a recipient of the 2011 CEO EXCEL award given by the International Association of Business Communicators. Riza was recognized for bold and innovative programs anchored on a five year strategy, “Route 5”, and harnessing the power of communication to implement these programs, including the multi-awarded and pioneering “It’s Time!” financial literacy advocacy. The strategies and programs put in place have resulted in unprecedented growth for Sun Life in sales, assets under management, and provincial presence.

In February 2011, the company announced the acquisition of 49% of Grepalife Financial Inc, creating Sun Life Grepa Financial and opening up the bancassurance channel for Sun Life.

Riza graduated with a B.S. Electrical Engineering degree (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, and an M.S. Computer Science from the State University of New York at Albany. She has also attended numerous executive development programs conducted by Harvard University, The Wharton School, Duke University, Oxford University, Asian Institute of Management, and The Niagara Institute. She is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (with distinction).

She was a board director of the Philippine Life Insurance Association from 2011-2013, serving as Secretary in 2012 then Treasurer in 2013. She served as a board director of the Philippine Federation of Pre-need Companies from 2006-2008.

Riza also serves as an independent director of Ayala Land Inc., the country’s largest real estate firm, and Microventures Foundation Inc., which runs the Hapinoy social entrepreneurship program.

There has been a rise in the interest of Filipinos with regard to stock market investing. Financial advisers often recommend stocks to be in one’s portfolio and for a good reason, it has given the investor good returns for sometime now. However, stocks are also one of the most volatile investments and many have ‘lost their shirt’ in the stock market, so to speak.

Are we seeing a continued bull run in the Philippine Stock Market for 2015? Marvin Germo, one of the country’s most popular stock market enthusiast shares his views on where the market is heading for 2015.

The 2015 Outlook of Marvin Germo

I love watching basketball. I love the part where the underdog, who has been trailing massively in the first 3 quarters start to turn things around and shift things toward their favor. I just love seeing that sight, to see people who have been battered and forgotten move forward and shift from losing to wining.

I believe that this is what is happening in the Philippines. I believe we are surging like never before. The economy may not be perfect and there are things that I think still need to be changed. But like the basketball team I know we are moving up instead of falling down. All the cards are stacking right towards our favor.

What has changed?

1. Our GDP is still strong, relatively higher than most of our peers in region and also as compared to its historic average. The economy was flying prior to Yolanda but it slowed down a bit in 2014 due to its effects of the typhoon. But I believe this year our economy would pick up further. Our GDP is still and will be consumption driven, this means that as more Filipinos spend our economy would grow as a whole.

2. Two years ago we moved from speculative to investment grade but not just that over the past few months we have proven that we can go higher than that as evidenced by more and more upgrades.

3. Inflation is still low, as oil prices continue to drop worldwide, I believe this would further slow down inflation in the country.

4. Interest rates are also low, this means more people are taking loans. More loans allow other sectors in the country to grow. In spite of more people taking loans our Non Performing Loans ratio is still relatively low, this means that people are paying their loans and not defaulting on them. As interest rates are low, this also means more liquidity in the market. It shows that more people would be taking more risks to get more gains. This is good for people involved in stocks and equity funds.

5. We are the top 23rd in the world in gold reserves and top 25th in US dollar reserves beating other 1st world countries.

6. Our unemployment rate is relatively lower, meaning more jobs are being created for our countrymen but aside from that we are seeing also more OFW remittances that help energize our consumption driven economy.

7. More money is also heading the government’s way as they are now able to collect taxes more effectively, which in theory can be used to further our economy.

8. Aside from this our debt to GDP ratio also has continued to drop.

I could go on and on about how things are doing well for our country. However as what I mentioned it is not a perfect economy and certain adjustments need to be made.

What needs Improvement?

1. I believe the government still needs to increase spending and infrastructure spending needs to be a priority. More infrastructures built would bolster business, tourism, and make growth inclusive to everyone.

2. We also need to see more foreign direct investments that will create real jobs and not just money flowing in and out of the stock market.

How does this fit our investments?

Given that interest rates are still low and there is so much money moving around. I believe equities would still take the helm this year. If you are an investor try to align your investments with anything that is related to stocks. Either via direct stock investing or via an equity fund.

Will the PSEI hit 8,000?

I believe no one has a crystal ball to determine where the market will go. Stocks over the short term still move with respect to sentiment and supply & demand. However, given the fact that the fundamentals of the Philippines remain to be amazing, I believe its not a question if the PSEI will hit 8,000 but rather a question of when.

Also as an investor, you should ask your self the question, should the market hit 8,000, would you be buying, holding, or selling? The technique to earning in the market is by having your own strategy and sticking to it.

If you who want to maximize the growth of our economy, I suggest to invest in stocks that are consumer related (Read: Stocks and our Consumption Driven Economy) or if you are entrepreneurial create businesses that will cater to consumption. At the end of the day as more Filipinos spend businesses aligned to consumption will produce more earnings. In stocks, stock prices follow earnings that move up.

Is our market relatively higher?

Yes it is. The PSEI is more expensive compared to other foreign markets in the region. This means that more investors may be more cautious to come in and may wait for the market to go a bit lower before they start investing.

As our market is relatively higher and for those who are a bit more conservative, you may still go for stocks. However, go for stocks that give higher dividends and are less volatile. This is so if the market would correct you still get your dividends and you don’t get hit much by the volatility.

Technicals

On a technical analysis level the market is still in a good uptrend from its reversal in 2009. The 200 day moving average support (as of this writing) is at 6,960. As long as we stay above the 200 day moving average I believe the market can still push up further, however if this breaks downward, you may consider taking profits.

While as of this writing, the peak of 7,400 has been broken twice this year. What I would like to see is that the PSEI stays above 7,400 and builds a support there. If 7,400 holds, over the short term we may see the market move towards 7,600 then eventually 7,800. After that the road to 8,000 doesn’t seem so far off.

Will the market move up on a straight line up? Not necessarily! As always markets drop, when majority of investors take profits. You may also want to consider that the PSEI has been more than 27% up since the start of 2014 and a lot of investors are also waiting for a proper time to take profits.

At the end of the day, it is you as an investor who will make the decision on what to do and how to trade your portfolio. If you are a trader stick to your technical analysis and your trading plan. If you are an investor buy reasonably priced stocks that are cheap, growing and stick your fundamental analysis.

If you are investing in equity funds, either via UITFs or Mutual Funds stick to your financial plan. Don’t just take out funds because of emotion and just because the market is super high or low. Stick to your fund knowing that your fund manager knows what they are doing and that’s the reason why you are invested with them in the first place. Only take money out when your plan or goal has been hit.

At the end of the day I believe 2015 will be a great year for you as an investor. The Philippine economy which used to be an underdog is reversing, moving forward and surging higher. It’s time to be invested and to take part of the progress. God has great plans for you to prosper and to succeed in life. It’s time for you to step into them!

Have a great 2015 ahead!

Marvin Germo is an engineer by education and a Registered Financial Planner. He is one of the country’s most prolific stock market enthusiast and an advocate of stock market education. He is the author of two best selling books  (Stock Smarts) on the stock market, a columnist for Business Mirror and Rappler and speaks locally and globally.