The ongoing war between Israel and Iran pulled down the PSEi as it made investors jittery.
The main index dropped 37.01 points, or 0.58 percent, to 6,358.58, although sectoral indices were evenly split. Volume was strong at 1.07 billion shares worth ₱8.82 billion, as losers outnumbered gainers—110 to 88, with 50 unchanged.
“Philippine markets started the week in the red following the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which rattled investors over the weekend,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco also said, “The local market declined by the week's start as investors dealt with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and its possible economic repercussions.
“So far, the conflict has caused oil prices to surge, in turn posing inflationary risks to the local economy.”
He added that, “The peso's depreciation also weighed on the local bourse.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael L. Ricafort said, “The PSEi corrected slightly lower after slightly gaining for two straight trading days after Israel and Iran continued intense bombardments on each other's territories over the weekend.”