The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose on Wednesday, Nov. 19, after a lot of Philippine agricultural products were exempted from United States (US) tariffs while the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) raised hope for one more rate cut, triggering more bargain buying.
The main index jumped by 57.05 points, or 0.99 percent, to finish at 5,813.71. Banks led the charge, while miners got left behind.
Volume was stable at 886 million shares worth ₱6.23 billion. Gainers trounced losers—112 to 61, with 67 unchanged.
“The local bourse ended higher, still driven by bargain hunting,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan.
He added that investor sentiment improved after the BSP signaled the possibility of another rate cut by the end of the year, and “this expectation continued to support buying activity in today’s session.”
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market rose as investors cheered the exemption of most of the Philippines’ agricultural exports from the US’ 19-percent reciprocal tariff. “
“The possibility of another policy rate cut by the BSP in their December meeting as per BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. also helped in Wednesday’s session,” he noted.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi gained after Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings affirmed their views on the Philippine credit ratings and outlook amid changes in the cabinet and political developments recently.