PSEi rallies 3rd straight day amid US tariff compromise hopes
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose for the third straight session on indications that the United States (US) may be willing to compromise and set tariffs at lower levels.
The main index jumped by 70.74 points, or 1.1 percent on Wednesday, July 9, to close at 6,504.34. Services led the charge, although banks and miners got left behind. Volume improved to 1.41 billion shares worth ₱7.79 billion, as gainers outnumbered losers—110 to 90, with 50 unchanged.
“Philippine shares edged higher on optimism that the final US tariff rates may be less severe than initially feared,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan.
He added that, “Gold prices fell as hopes for a trade breakthrough reduced demand for safe-haven assets, further pressured by a stronger dollar and rising US Treasury yields.”
Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The market continued to rally backed by investors’ confidence towards the local economy.
“This comes following the recently released economic figures which were deemed healthy including the labor force survey (LFS), monthly integrated survey of selected industries (MISSI), and bank lending data for the month of May.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the PSEi gained after US President Donald Trump signaled possible compromise in terms of much lower tariff rates, as seen in recent months.