The local bourse finished Thursday at a marginal rise, with the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) up 0.19 percent to 6,407.15, as most investors took a backseat ahead of the central bank’s impending monetary policy decision.
Most investors waited on the sidelines on Thursday, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) monetary policy announcement occurring right at market close at 3 in the afternoon.
The central bank announced it had reduced its key policy rate by a further 25 basis points, aiming to increase liquidity in the economy and, in turn, spur consumption, a key driver of Philippine economic growth.
Investors will be digesting the BSP’s recent decision as the market wraps up the trading week tomorrow, with most viewing the rate cut as a signal that an economic rebound in the middle of 2026 is feasible.
Cues from Wall Street performance
However, investors also took cues from firmer Wall Street performance, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite indices all finishing in positive territory, driven primarily by gains in technology and communication services shares alongside easing concerns over near-term rate pressures as US Treasury yields stabilized, improving market sentiment and thus driving in part Thursday’s marginal gain.
Given the apprehension regarding the BSP’s decision, trading activity on Thursday remained subdued, with net value turnover at P4.94 billion, below the year-to-date average of P6.28 billion. Despite the index’s overall advance, foreign investors were net sellers, posting net outflows of P96.93 million.
Sectoral performance mixed
Sectoral performance was mixed, with Mining & Oil leading the charge, gaining 3.76 percent, while Property lagged, down 0.86 percent. Market breadth, however, was positive, as advancers outpaced decliners, 119 to 89.
Semirara Mining and Power Corporation surged 13.53 percent to P25.60, emerging as the top index gainer, as investors bought the dip following the stock’s recent stumble after the Department of Energy denied the extension of its exclusive contract to Semirara Island’s coal resources.
Meanwhile, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. fell 1.66 percent to P14.18, ending as the session’s worst performer, as investors locked in profits following the stock’s recent surge.
Peso closed slightly weaker
On the foreign exchange front, the peso closed at P57.99 per dollar, slightly weaker than Wednesday’s P57.86 finish. The modest pullback came as the US dollar regained ground in global markets following stronger US Treasury yields and cautious positioning ahead of key US macroeconomic releases.
A firmer dollar index overnight and mild profit-taking after the peso’s recent appreciation streak contributed to the local currency’s dip, even as expectations of further BSP easing continued to support the broader outlook.