PSEi starts June on positive note

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) started the week on a positive note, closing Monday at 6,352.66 — up 0.18 percent. Investor sentiment was lifted by expectations that the country’s inflation rate for May remained within the government’s 2%–4% target range, potentially giving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) more room to ease policy rates.

However, gains were tempered by concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to double steel import tariffs to 50 percent, which rattled global markets and weighed on regional peers. Thailand and Malaysia’s stock exchanges were closed for holidays.

Foreign investors remained net buyers with net inflows amounting to P418.29 million. Total net value turnover reached P5.62 billion.

Sector performance was broadly positive, led by the property sector, which surged 1.46 percent. The industrial sector, however, slipped 0.39 percent. Market breadth favored advancers, with 119 stocks gaining versus 80 decliners.

Bloomberry Resorts Corporation emerged as the top index gainer, climbing 5.26 percent to P4.40, while Monde Nissin Corporation posted the biggest loss, dropping 5.26 percent to P7.20.

“Philippine shares closed slightly positive to kickstart June as the market anticipates key economic data that could guide price movements this week. Investors will monitor U.S. ISM services PMI and jobs report, along with local manufacturing PMI, inflation, unemployment, and consumer confidence figures, to gauge economic health and monetary policy direction,” said Luis Limlingan, Head of Sales at Regina Capital Development Corporation.

Oil prices also retreated, with Brent crude slipping 0.34 percent to $63.93 per barrel amid OPEC+ plans to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in July, raising concerns over oversupply.

Meanwhile, the Philippine peso opened at 55.85 and strengthened slightly to close at 55.70 against the U.S. dollar, with a weighted average of 55.784, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

Regional markets were mostly down, pressured by the potential tariff hike in the U.S., as investors weighed its impact on global trade and growth.