PSEi falls on weak peso, Maynilad IPO payment deadline
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell further on Monday, Oct. 27, on the weakness of the peso as well as lower market liquidity due to the giant Maynilad Water Services Inc. initial public offering (IPO).
The main index dropped 52.46 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 5,933.76. Miners led the retreat across the board.
Volume rose to 11.82 billion shares worth ₱18.77 billion, as losers swamped gainers—131 to 55, with 59 unchanged.
“The Philippine market declined by nearly one percent as selling pressure persisted throughout the trading session,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
He added that, “The depreciation of the Philippine peso against the United States (US) dollar continued to make investors trade cautiously. Moreover, the release of some companies’ earnings also influenced today’s market performance.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi declined for the third day in four trading days ahead of the relatively large ₱34.3-billion Maynilad IPO, which could have siphoned some of the existing funds in the local stock market in view of the offering and payment deadline.