The Philippines: Economic Powerhouses League

Look for companies with economic moats

A key characteristic supporting consistent operating history is a sustainable competitive advantage. In other words, a company should have a barrier to entry -- or a kind of moat -- that keeps potential competitors at bay.Warren Buffett

Ayala Group

Ayala and its subsidiaries and affiliates play leadership roles across diverse industries. The group's interests include real estate development, banking and financial services, telecommunications, water infrastructure development and management, electronics, information technology, automotive and international operations.

The Ayala group of companies actively fulfills its commitment to corporate social responsibility. Every company in the group lends support to Ayala Foundation in its efforts to promote education and the arts, and to help alleviate poverty.

Ayala Corporation

The oldest and largest conglomerate in the Philippines.

Ayala Corporation is the holding company of one of the oldest and largest business groups in the Philippines. It maintains a tradition of excellence, and integrity has run continuously through seven generations, adhering to the principles and ideals that had brought it to existence 178 years ago.

"The right company (with the right prospects, inherent industry conditions,management,etc.) means the price will take care of itself...this is what causes the cash register to sing. So the really big money tends to be made by investors who are right on qualitative decisions." Warren Buffett

 SM Investments

SM Investments Corporation is a holding company with interests in shopping mall development and management, retail, real estate development, banking and tourism.^[1] The SM Group was founded by Henry Sy, Sr.. It has now become one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines.^{[2] Wikipedia}

"The very homogeneity of taste in food and fashion that makes for a dull culture also makes fortunes for owners of retail companies and of restaurant companies as well. What sells in one town is almost guaranteed to sell in another." Peter Lynch

Alliance Global Group, Inc. is one of the Philippines' largest conglomerates, with interests in the food and beverage industry, real estate development and quick service restaurants. AGI is a holding company for a group of companies controlled by the Tan Family. Through its subsidiaries, associates and other investments, the Company operates a diversified range of businesses in the Philippines that focus on developing products and services that cater to the growing Philippine middle class.

“In the next three to five years, we reckon that AGI’s revenue and net income will be racing towards that of larger conglomerates like Ayala Corp. Its branding strategy will also make it a household name,” said The Private Clients Group (PCG) in a study.