Local shares inch up on corporate results

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) closed Thursday at 6,625.46, inching up 0.08 percent, as the local market extended its advance on continued optimism surrounding fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 corporate earnings.

Several banks, energy companies and conglomerates have recently released their earnings reports for 2025, with most posting positive results — signals investors view as signs of profitability and stability, which in turn encourage investment.

Positive overnight cues from Wall Street helped lift sentiment earlier in the session, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both finishing in the green.

At the midday break, the bourse stood at 6,658.92, up 0.59 percent, although gains were partly pared toward the close as investors cashed out and locked in profits.

Trading remained healthy

Trading activity remained healthy, with net value turnover reaching P7.52 billion, while foreign investors posted net inflows of P1.05 billion, providing additional support to the market.

Sector performance was mixed. Property stocks led the gains, climbing 1.82 percent, while services ended at the bottom, declining 0.81 percent. Market breadth remained positive, with advancers outnumbering decliners 125 to 70.

DigiPlus session’s top gainer

Among index components, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (PLUS) emerged as the session’s top gainer, surging 9.64 percent to P16.38, extending its recent momentum as investors continued positioning ahead of earnings and strong growth expectations in the gaming segment. Meanwhile, International Container Terminal Services Inc. was the worst performer, sliding 2.05 percent to P733.00, likely due to profit-taking after its recent rally and as global shipping stocks softened alongside moderating freight rate expectations.

Peso weakens

On the currency front, the peso weakened to P57.60 per dollar from P57.51 previously as the US dollar regained some strength in global markets. The US Dollar Index hovered near the mid-104 range, supported by firmer US Treasury yields, with the 10-year yield holding around 4.2 percent. Stronger US data and continued caution from the Federal Reserve about cutting rates quickly helped underpin the greenback.

Geopolitical developments also influenced currency trading. Oil prices stayed relatively elevated, with Brent crude trading around the mid-$80 per barrel range, as markets monitored tensions involving Iran and ongoing risks in the Middle East. Higher oil prices tend to pressure oil-importing economies like the Philippines, contributing to mild peso weakness during the session even as regional currencies moved mixed.