Amid the ever-turning tide of global markets, SM Investments remains steadfast in its conviction: the Philippines is poised for continued economic expansion.

With a keen eye on the country’s growth trajectory, the conglomerate has unveiled a record-breaking P60-billion share buyback program — an emphatic declaration of faith in both its own enduring value and the resilience of the domestic economy.

“We’re having this buyback because we believe in our company and its growth potential,” said Erwin G. Pato, executive vice president for Treasury, Finance and Planning at SM Investments, in recent interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg.

Pato underscored that the Philippines’ economic heartbeat remains its robust consumer base.

“Seventy percent of our gross domestic product is consumption-driven, and our business is right within that footprint,” he noted. With its vast portfolio spanning retail, integrated property development, and financial services, SM Investments operates at the very core of this consumption-led dynamism.

This confidence is backed by solid financials. SM Investments’ consolidated net income climbed 7 percent in 2024, reaching P82.6 billion from P77.0 billion the previous year.

Meanwhile, its retail arm, SM Retail Inc., posted a net income of PHP20.9 billion, marking a steady rise from PHP19.9 billion in 2023.