The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dipped on last minute profit-taking on Tuesday, Dec. 16, as investors waited for fresh economic data from the United States (US).
The main index shed 2.34 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 6,055.68. The services and mining sectors fell, while the rate-sensitive banks and property counters remained strong.
Volume rose to 1.66 billion shares worth ₱7.68 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—101 to 81, with 57 unchanged.
“The local bourse ended lower as profit-taking emerged following a series of sessions in the green,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
He added that, “Sentiment was weighed down by recent reports pointing to a softer growth outlook. Concerns over slower remittance growth also added pressure to the market.”
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco noted that, “The local market was in the positive territory for the most part of the day, carried by hopes of another Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rate cut next year. However, last minute profit-taking sent the local market lower by the close.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi corrected slightly lower after gaining for three straight trading days after the second straight day of downward correction in US stock markets from record highs following continued cautious signals from most US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials recently.