PSEi ends week below 6,000 on renewed concern over economy
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell below the 6,000 level on Friday, April 17, as investors cashed out ahead of the weekend amid concern over the economic impact of the oil crisis.
The main index lost 64.56 points, or 1.06 percent, to close the week at 5,999.13. Conglomerates led the retreat across the board.
Volume was stable at 1.09 billion shares worth ₱7.33 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—100 to 86, with 67 unchanged.
“Investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy meeting. Sentiment was also weighed down after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the Philippines’ heavy reliance on oil imports is testing its economic resilience amid the Middle East energy crisis,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market pulled back as investors worry over the local economic challenges brought by the Middle East war including the expected rise in inflation moving forward and the possibility of policy tightening by the BSP, both of which are seen to weigh on economic growth.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi to near its four-month low after the recent hawkish signals from BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. in terms of possible future monetary tightening or rate hikes that could slow down the economy in an effort to slow down inflation.