PSEi rises for 3rd day as Mideast ceasefire calms markets
The Philippine benchmark index inched up as investor sentiment remained buoyed by easing oil prices amid a ceasefire in the Middle East.
The main index added 5.01 points or 0.08 percent to close at 6,330.65 on Thursday, June 26, although only Conglomerates and the Property counter managed to advance. Volume improved to 722 million shares worth P6.06 billion as gainers outnumbered losers 94 to 76 with 82 unchanged.
“The PSEi closed slightly lower as easing Middle East tensions and Trump’s ceasefire reduced oil supply fears,” said Regina Capital Development Corporation Managing Director Luis Limlingan.
He noted that, “Locally, the May budget swung to a ₱145.2 billion deficit.”
Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market’s sideways movement closed in the positive territory as the positive effects of the Israel-Iran ceasefire continued to lift sentiment. This includes the decline in global oil prices and the rebound of the local currency against the US Dollar.”
“The market was tempered within the day, however, by uncertainties over the Fed’s policy outlook as Fed Chair Jerome Powell, in his testimony at the US Congress, signaled a wait-and-see policy approach amid the US’ tariff policies,” he added.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the PSEi is up for the third straight day as positive sentiment sustained in the global financial markets since Trump announced the tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
“The PSEi also continued to gain after the U.S. dollar-peso exchange rate again corrected lower for the third straight trading day,” he said.