PSEi dips as weaker peso, ballooning debt prompted profit-taking
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) took a breather after its three-day rally as the higher national debt and weaker peso prompted investors to cash out and pocket some profit.
The main index dropped 25.82 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 6,292.09 on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The services sector led the decline, while the industrial and mining counters continued to advance.
Volume dipped but was still strong at 772 million shares worth ₱7.29 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—107 to 101, with 68 unchanged.
“The PSEi pressed the brakes, slipping into the red, marking its first decline for the week as profit-taking set in across sectors following recent gains,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market fell as investors took profits following three days of rallying. Investors were also wary of the peso’s depreciation against the United States (US) dollar, closing at ₱59.36.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi dipped after the exchange rate reached a new record-low closing rate of ₱59.355 and a new intraday low of ₱59.38 to the dollar.
He noted that sentiment was also affected by the November 2025 unemployment data that was still among the highest since July 2024 as well as a new record-high national government (NG) debt.