China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) is confident of its continued growth trajectory as it marked its return to the benchmark 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) last Feb. 3, 2025.

The PSEi is the local bourse’s main index, providing a snapshot of the market's overall condition by gauging changes in the stock prices of the country’s most representative listed companies.

“We are honored to again be part of the PSEi after more than a decade. The ensuing investor interest in our stock reflects confidence in our long-term vision and in our ability to execute our strategic initiatives,” Chinabank President and CEO Romeo D. Uyan Jr. said.

Chinabank noted that its stock price has been increasing all year, up over 100 percent in 2024 alone, underpinned by the bank's record performance.

As of end-September 2024, Chinabank was the fourth largest private universal bank in the country, with P1.6 trillion in total assets and P18.4 billion in net income.

It was the 13th most profitable Philippine company in 2023. In terms of market capitalization, it ranked 18th largest as of Jan. 31, 2025.

Chinabank Chief Finance Officer Patrick Cheng said, "Our profitability and capital efficiency have been improving the past years and we remain focused on ensuring good progress on our digital transformation and product and process enhancements."

To qualify for the PSEi, companies must have high liquidity, rank well in market capitalization, and have at least 20 percent of their shares available for public trading.

Financial metrics are also considered in the evaluation. Chinabank’s previous inclusion was from May 2010 to May 2011.

Aside from Chinabank, the country’s first real estate investment trust AREIT Inc. joined the PSEi for the first time as a result of the January to December 2024 index review.

AREIT is also the first REIT to be included in the PSEi after just four years from its listing at the bourse.

“It is notable that our very first listed REIT has also become the first REIT to make it to the PSEi. This shows the immense potential REITs have as an investment product, and serves as a good example for REIT issuers that aspire to maximize this particular type of listing vehicle,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.

AREIT and Chinabank replaced Nickel Asia Corporation and Wilcon Depot, Inc., which will become constituents of the PSE MidCap index.

Aside from the above-mentioned index membership switch, Philippine Seven Corporation also replaced DDMP REIT, Inc. in the 20-member midcap benchmark.

Meanwhile, the PSE Dividend Yield index saw the addition of Robinsons Land Corporation and the removal of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. The PSE Midcap and PSE Dividend Yield indices have two and four REIT constituents, respectively.

All sector indices remain unchanged except for the Industrial sector, with the inclusion of Pryce Corporation and the exclusion of Fruitas Holdings, Inc.