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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Investors retreat to sidelines, pushing PSEi below 6,400 mark

Investors retreat to sidelines, pushing PSEi below 6,400 mark

Published Feb 4, 2026 04:51 pm
Local shares retreated on Wednesday, Feb. 4, as investors locked in profits ahead of inflation report, pausing a rally that had recently pushed the benchmark index above the 6,400 mark.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) fell 29.01 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 6,372.95. Market sectors were evenly split, with property developers leading the decline while mining companies bucked the trend to post the day's strongest gains.
The retreat followed a period of relative strength, suggesting cautious approach among traders despite a generally optimistic outlook for consumer price data due on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the pullback was driven by investors securing gains while weighing the potential market reaction to the upcoming inflation figures.
While price pressures are expected to remain benign, the uncertainty of how the market will digest the data prompted a shift toward the sidelines.
Limlingan also noted similar cooling on Wall Street, where investors recently rotated out of high-flying technology shares in favor of sectors more closely tied to broader economic growth.
Domestic headwinds also contributed to the cautious sentiment.
Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, pointed to lingering uncertainties regarding the local economic outlook and the government’s latest fiscal data.
National government debt reached a record ₱17.71 trillion at the end of last year, a figure that continues to weigh on investor sentiment as the market assesses the long-term impact of the country's leverage on its growth trajectory.
Despite the daily decline, the broader business community remains optimistic about the market's recent performance.
Meanwhile, the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines issued a statement on Wednesday welcoming the market’s recovery, specifically citing Tuesday’s surge when the PSEi closed at 6,401.96.
BCCP Chairman Chris Nelson said the recovery is supported by robust trading activity and improved sentiment, which positions the Philippines favorably as it prepares for its ASEAN Chairship.
Nelson emphasized that the government’s focus on managing inflation and easing monetary policy is critical to maintaining this momentum.
The Chamber also used the opportunity to urge the passage of the Cybersecurity Act and the Blue Economy Act, arguing that such reforms are vital to enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure and global competitiveness.

Related Tags

Philippine Stock Exchange index Regina Capital Development Corporation Luis Limlingan Philstocks Financial Japhet Tantiangco Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Michael L. Ricafort
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