PSEi snaps slide as traders weigh rate cuts against weak peso
Local stocks edged higher as investors focused on the prospect of interest-rate cuts by the central bank, looking past the record low for the local currency and a mixed batch of economic data.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index rose 28.58 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 6,320.67 on Thursday, Jan. 8. Trading volume reached 1.11 billion shares with a total value of ₱6.21 billion. Advancing issues led decliners 118 to 94, while 49 remained unchanged.
The local bourse’s gain comes even as the Philippine peso hit a fresh all-time low of ₱59.355 against the United States dollar on Wednesday.
The currency’s weakness was exacerbated by dovish remarks from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., who signaled that a policy rate cut remains on the table for the upcoming February meeting.
“The PSEi ended higher as investors bought at lower prices after yesterday’s decline, taking advantage of the market dip,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan.
He noted that buying pressure remained intact despite unemployment data and the Peso hitting an all-time low against the USD. "Investors remained cautious but optimistic amid softer economic data," Limlingan added.
Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market rose as investors resumed their bargain hunting, with hopes pinned on another possible rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in their February meeting.”