The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended the week lower as oil prices rose while the peso weakened due to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) rate hike.
The main index dropped 40.32 points, or 0.67 percent, to close at 5,943.49 on Friday, April 24. Banks led the decline, while the industrial counter held its ground.
Volume dipped to 2.09 billion shares worth ₱5.51 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—110 to 80, with 64 unchanged.
“The PSEi extended its decline as investors remained in risk-off mode amid continued peso depreciation following the BSP’s recent rate hike. Currency weakness and higher borrowing costs added pressure on equities,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
He added that, “Sentiment was further dampened by persistent uncertainty in the Middle East, keeping buying interest subdued.”
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market declined further as investors digested the BSP’s move to raise policy rates by 25 basis points (bps). Investors are also incorporating higher inflation expectations in their decision making. This comes as the BSP projects inflation this year to average 6.3 percent.”
Ron Acoba, chief investment strategist at Trading Edge Consultancy, said rising inflation concerns continued to weigh on the market as WTI crude prices climbed 4.3 percent to $99.89 a barrel after peace negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran hit a standstill.