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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Stocks slide to 6,137 as Moody's growth warning rattles investors

Stocks slide to 6,137 as Moody's growth warning rattles investors

Published Aug 26, 2026 04:38 pm
Local equities extended decline as subdued medium-term growth outlook and impending monetary policy decisions kept investors on the defensive.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 53 points, or 0.86 percent, to settle at 6,137.23 on Wednesday, Aug. 26, led by a sharp retreat in the Services sector.
Trading activity remained muted, with 862 million shares valued at ₱5.35 billion changing hands. Market breadth was negative, as decliners paced gainers 94 to 78, while 79 issues closed unchanged.
Persistent selling pressure defined the trading session, exacerbated by Moody’s Ratings’ latest macroeconomic assessment, which projected Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth to trail below six percent over the medium term.
“The local index ended lower as selling pressure remained intact throughout the session,” said Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital Development Corp. 
“Market sentiment turned cautious following Moody’s forecast that Philippine GDP growth will remain below six percent over the medium term. Investors stayed on the sidelines as concerns over the country’s growth outlook continued to weigh on risk appetite,” he added,
Macroeconomic anxiety was further compounded by market positioning ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas policy assembly. Market participants are closely evaluating the central bank’s trajectory on interest rates, parsing for signals on how monetary authorities intend to balance price stability against broader economic momentum.
“Investors took a cautious stance ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' upcoming policy meeting,” said Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial. “Investors are watching out for the BSP's interest rate decision together with clues on its policy outlook.”
Expectations lean toward a further tightening of policy levers, a move that could alter foreign exchange dynamics and capital flows.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., noted that the central bank is widely expected to lift the benchmark policy rate by 0.25 percent, a move that may offer fundamental support to the local currency amid global market volatility.

Related Tags

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