Corruption protests, peso weakness weigh on Philippine stocks
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell on Monday, Sept. 15, weighed down by weakening peso and growing concerns over protests against corrupt politicians, public officials, and contractors.
The main index lost 51.78 points, or 0.85 percent, to close at 6,057.43. Banks led the retreat, while the services and industrial sectors managed to advance.
A total of 3.48 billion shares valued at ₱6.2 billion were traded, with losers outnumbering gainers 117 to 84, while 53 shares remained unchanged.
“The local market declined on its first day of the week, weighed by the weakness of the Philippine Peso against the US Dollar,” said Japhet Tantiangco, Philstocks Financial Research Manager.
He added that “the lack of a local positive catalyst also caused investors to exit the market.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael Ricafort noted that “The Philippine Stock Exchange Composite Index (PSEi) declined for the second straight trading day amid reports of possible demonstrations in the coming days... amid political noises recently, especially those related to the controversial flood control anomalies and corruption allegations that could potentially adversely affect some of the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and trade privileges.”