D&L sees brighter 2027 outlook as nine-month profit rises
President Alvin Lao cited cheaper Brent crude and a stronger peso, but said geopolitical uncertainty made performance projections premature.
D&L Industries Inc. president Alvin Lao said conditions could improve in 2027, although geopolitical risks prevented him from offering performance forecasts. The Philippine producer of oleochemicals, specialty plastics and food products recorded ₱2.24 billion in net income for the first nine months of 2026.
That represented a 15 per cent increase from ₱1.95 billion a year earlier. Earnings for the third quarter rose to ₱735 million, up 32 per cent from the ₱554 million recorded in the corresponding 2025 period.
Lower Brent crude prices and peso appreciation supported Lao’s optimism. He also pointed to the recent US midterm election results and the possibility of the war with Iran ending, while cautioning that destroyed manufacturing facilities in the Middle East would need years to rebuild.
Lao said spending associated with the 2028 Philippine presidential elections was likely to begin in the latter half of 2027. He nevertheless warned that worsening political tensions could stall business activity.
To expand exports and put extra capacity at its new Batangas plant to use, D&L is intensifying its search for overseas customers, Lao said. It is also maintaining research and development investment to develop high-margin products that can draw new customers.
