The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped on Monday, April 27, as investors worry over the impact of rising inflation and interest rates, which has led some conglomerates to reduce capital expenditures (capex).
The main index lost 42.34 points, or 0.71 percent, to close at 5,901.15. Sectoral indices were equally divided.
Volume remained thin at 1.6 billion shares worth ₱5.36 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—107 to 86, with 56 unchanged.
“The PSEi started the week in the red as market sentiment remained cautious amid continued peso depreciation and renewed increases in crude oil prices,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
These developments fueled concerns over rising inflationary pressures, prompting fears of possible additional rate hikes by the central bank. As a result, investors stayed on the sidelines, weighing macroeconomic risks against near-term growth prospects.
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market started the week on a negative tone as expectations of rising inflation and interest rates at home dampened investors’ sentiment. Waning prospects of a deal between the United States (US) and Iran also continued to weigh on the bourse.”
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi declined after some of the country’s biggest companies reduced capex to prepare for slower consumer spending and possible increase in non-performing loans (NPLs), as triggered by the sharp increase in global fuel prices.