The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped on Monday, Aug. 11, as investors sold off stocks due to a lack of fresh market-moving developments.

The main index fell by 85.02 points, or 1.34 percent, to close at 6,254.36. Banks led the retreat, with only the Services counter managing to hold its ground. Volume was strong at the start of the week, with 909 million shares valued at P7.1 billion changing hands. Losers trounced gainers 141 to 70, with 41 unchanged.

“The market was largely driven by selling pressure today, with prices seemingly stalled as investors await a new catalyst to emerge after the PSEi rebalancing last Friday,” said Luis Limlingan, managing director of Regina Capital Development Corp.

He noted, “With most companies having already released their second-quarter earnings, attention may now shift to the upcoming US inflation data, which could shape the Fed's next policy direction.”

Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, said, “The local market opened the week on a negative tone as the lack of fresh positive leads allowed worries over the local economy's outlook to take over sentiment.” 
He added, “Investors are concerned about how the local economy could accelerate its growth amid lingering global economic uncertainties caused primarily by the U.S.'s protectionist policies.”

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said, “The Philippine Stock Exchange Composite Index (PSEi) declined for the third straight trading day... as the ongoing Retail Treasury Bond (RTB) offering from August 5-15, 2025, could have siphoned off some of the excess liquidity from the financial system as a competing alternative investment.”

Sentiment also took a hit “after the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) said that a proposed 100 percent tariff on Philippine semiconductor exports entering the U.S. market would be devastating to Philippine electronic exporters.”