How Super Typhoon Carina Disrupted PH Financial Markets

Super Typhoon Carina, also known globally as Gaemi, caused significant disturbances to the financial markets of the Philippines on Wednesday. Severe storms and extensive floods caused the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and many banks to stop regular operations.

Early Wednesday morning, the PSE warned that trading activity would be suspended. The tremendous rain and floods that had affected several parts of the nation led one to make this ruling. The PSE index was noted at 6,653.12 at the time of the suspension.

The disturbance also affected the Securities Clearing Corp. of the Philippines, which stopped clearing and settling operations. Transactions noted on July 22 and July 23 were postponed for settlement on July 25 and July 26, respectively. The company promised that July 25, 2024, transactions will follow their usual settling times.

Apart from PSE, the Philippine Dealing System stopped trading foreign currency and fixed-income securities. Per the most recent exchange rate before the suspension, the peso was worth P58.435 versus the US dollar.

Private banking companies also faced the effects of Super Typhoon Carina; several shuttered their branches or set limited working hours because of the bad weather. To guarantee safety throughout the storm, banks urged patrons to use digital channels for their transactions.

Among the impacted institutions was the Land Bank of the Philippines, which closed many branches in Metro Manila and maintained little activity at branches in Batangas, Cavite, and Bulacan. To safeguard staff members and customers, the Development Bank of the Philippines also temporarily shuttered several branches.

The extreme weather of Super Typhoon Carina highlighted the difficulties experienced during natural catastrophes because it seriously disrupted banking activities and financial markets. The quick reaction of financial institutions sought to guarantee the continuation and safety of essential services despite the storm's influence.

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