The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended the day almost flat despite the announcement of a low inflation rate for May, as this was already expected and priced in by the market.
The main index shed 1.77 points or 0.03 percent to close at 6,376.79, although only Banks declined, while the Property sector led advancers. Volume was relatively stable at 912 million shares worth P6.31 billion as losers edged out gainers 101 to 100, with 48 unchanged.
“Philippine and US equities delivered a mixed performance, weighed down by the weakest private sector hiring in two years, tepid payroll gains, and a slipping dollar, all fueling investor caution,” said Regina Capital Development Corporation Managing Director Luis Limlingan.
He added that, “Meanwhile, price action was fairly muted given the CPI came in within many analysts' expectations. The May CPI print came at 1.3 percent, which was a slight improvement from the 1.4 percent in April.”
Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco said “the PSEi's sideways movement closed in the negative territory. The market's marginal decline is attributed mainly to the selling of index heavyweights such as SM, MER, and BDO.”