PSEi plummets after Zaldy Co points finger at President Marcos
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) plunged on Friday, Nov. 14, as initially positive sentiment reversed after corruption allegations were hurled against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. by former legislator Zaldy Co.
The main index plummeted by 142.64 points, or 2.49 percent, to close at 5,584.35. Miners led the retreat across the board.
A total of 1.68 billion shares worth ₱6.26 billion changed hands, as losers beat gainers-113 to 64, with 51 unchanged.
“Just when we thought the index was going to stabilize above 5,700, the market sold off after Zaldy Co’s allegations reignited governance risks,” said Chinabank Capital Corp. managing director Juan Paolo Colet.
He added that, “Immediate support is now at 5,500. Whether that holds will depend on how the latest twist in the corruption saga unfolds.”
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market started with gains, but dropped on the latter part of the day as frustration towards corruption took over sentiment. This comes following the release of former congressman Elizaldy Co’s statement, blaming the President himself for the ₱100-billion budget insertions.”
“The Philippine market ended sharply lower as strong selling pressure and profit-taking weighed on the index after its recent gains. Overall sentiment also softened as fresh earnings results and macroeconomic data continued to influence investor behavior,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi dropped to its lowest in more than five years, or since May 28, 2020, after the latest political noise and ahead of the prayer and protest rallies against corruption set for this weekend and at the end of the month.