Net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDIs) went up by over 21 percent in May this year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed.

Data released by the BSP on Monday showed that net inflows of FDIs in May 2025 grew by 21.3 percent from $483 million in May 2024 to $586 million in May this year.

FDIs include investments by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investments made by a non-resident subsidiary or associate in its resident direct investor.

The latter can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings.

"The increase resulted from the significant expansion in nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments, which rose by 88.3 percent year-on-year, from $227 million to $427 million," the BSP said.

The BSP said reinvestment of earnings remained relatively stable at $97 million.

The BSP, however, said these gains were partly offset by the 61.4 percent decline in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital (excluding reinvestment of earnings), which fell from $161 million to $62 million.

Equity capital placements in May mostly came from the United States, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

These were invested in manufacturing, real estate, and electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply industries.

PNA PHOTO