It is an honor to feature the 2012 outlook of a captain of her industry. I had the privilege to work with her about a decade and a half ago and it is a treat to see her in a meteoric rise to CEO, Ms. Riza Mantaring of Sun Life Financial.

Here’s the 2012 Outlook of Ms. Riza Mantaring

There is a lot of uncertainty attached to 2012.  While prospects appear to
have improved over the past few months from the earlier fears of a double
dip recession in the US or worsening of the European debt crisis, a number
of factors can affect global economic growth — a still bumpy and difficult
resolution to the Euro debt crisis, the struggle to cap large deficits in
other developed countries, political tensions in the Middle East and North
Africa, slower growth and higher inflation in emerging markets, and
political uncertainty as several countries undergo elections.

While 2012 is difficult to predict, we feel the Philippines is in a strong
position to weather the challenging economic and market climate this year.
Interest rates are projected to remain low, which should encourage
investments, while the robust flow of OFW remittances should continue to
support strong private sector consumption.  Increased government spending
is expected to boost economic growth.  Even under the best of circumstances
though, we expect volatility given the challenges in the global front, and
we do not expect equity markets to post outsized returns.  Still, fund
managers who adopt the right trading strategies through the market ups and
downs can produce good returns.  For fixed-income, the outlook for rates
remaining low underpins the outlook for decent returns.

Who is Riza Mantaring?

Ms. Mantaring is currently the President and CEO of one of the country’s preeminent financial services company, Sun Life Financial. Sun Life is a leading provider of life insurance and mutual funds. Riza has been in the financial services industry for over two decades and has been involved in information technology, customer services and operations. She was later named as the COO of Sun Life prior to her appointment of CEO. Under her management, Sun Life continues to improve its market share in the country and introduced many trail blazing enhancements. Sun Life has recently launched a pioneering financial literacy advocacy called “It’s Time” utilizing multiple media which resulted to their winning of many awards, even an international award.

I am really blessed and honored to feature the view of one columnist who I admire a lot. I first encountered him in 2005 in a seminar as he spoke about what we can expect in the coming months. I have since been a fan reading his column at the Business Mirror, one that is full of insights and uncanny accuracy whenever he forecasts the economy and investments.

Here’s the 2012 Outlook of Mr. John Mangun

Peso = Steady to lower during first half, then appreciating through end of the year.

PSE (Phil. Stock Exchange) = Prices gradually increasing to 4,800/5,000 during first two quarters, then subject to a downtrend correction before going higher.

Economy = Flat growth through 2^nd quarter, gradually increasing through year end.

Business = Flat business activity through 2^nd quarter, then increasing through year end.

Who is John Mangun?

Interest in the stock market first hit John Mangun when he was in his early teens, following the stock price action of major companies in the daily newspaper long before the computer.

In 1976, Mr. Mangun earned his license as a stock broker on the New York Stock Exchange as well as being licensed and registered for the Options and Commodity markets.

After working for two major Wall Street firms, Mr. Mangun went to England as head of foreign exchange trading for a British asset management company.

Upon his return to the United States, he formed his own investment advisory company administering to the investment needs of corporations and high-net worth individuals.

Mr. Mangun has actively analyzed and traded the Philippine Stock Exchange since 1989, making his first stock purchase (and losing trade) buying shares of San Miguel Corporation on Friday, November 24th, one week before the 1989 coup attempt.

He has been a regular newspaper columnist, writing about the Philippine economy, business, and stock market since 1996. His website is MangunOnMarkets.com.

I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries as to my view of 2012. Well, strictly speaking my view of this year is more ambivalent due to the many things going on, particular in the world economy. 2011 was a very eventful year, ballooning deficit on the US side, debt woes in the European front and lack-luster economic growth in the Asian sphere, particularly the Philippines. The stock market performed very well, only to wipe out its gains towards the later part of the year.

On the Philippine front, the Aquino government went on a all out war against corruption and the irregularities, while there is a view that the anti-corruption measures improved our situation, a lot of under-spending resulted to a sluggish economy, with forecasts being down graded fairly often.

It is not only economic woes that concerned the beginning of the new decade, the political landscape in the Middle-East is in a precarious situation. As that region controls a precious commodity, oil — the whole world is at its toes in fearful anticipation. Further, natural calamities seem to be more rampant and the damages it brings causes incredible losses as well as grief.

So what do we see for 2012? I am generally a very positive individual but I am also a realist at the same time. While my general view is on the bright side, it will be irresponsible for me to wantonly say that everything will be fine and dandy for 2012. Since my views on the matter really don’t hold much water anyway, who am I to be giving them in the first place, I thought of compiling the views of people who are really competent on their subject matters and asked them for their outlook. I opted to collect their views on post a series in my blog for the readers to peruse.

I will make my notes on the outlook and probably make mine in the last installment of this series. However, what I was able to gather from the experts are extremely insightful and very helpful to those asking what’s in store for 2012. I only asked from people that I personally know and all of them I truly admire and respect.

Catch this series!