Severe El Niño episode seen to worsen inflation, growth

MANILA, Philippines — An intensifying El Niño could further complicate the Philippines’ fight against inflation, with a severe episode potentially pushing price growth above 8 percent while adding to the strain on an already weak economy, according to Chinabank Research. In a commentary, Chinabank said El Niño could add 0.25 percentage points (ppt) to headline inflation