Late bargain-hunting lifts PSEi amid US-Iran tensions
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) managed to end higher on Monday, Aug. 24, as late buying capped a cautious session, with investors waiting for developments in the war between the United States (US) and Iran.
The main index added 12.92 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 6,251.38. Sectoral indices were evenly mixed as the mining counter surged amid rising metal prices.
Volume was thin at 1.25 billion shares worth ₱4.97 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—108 to 83, with 65 unchanged.
“The local bourse ended higher after a cautious trading session, with investors remaining wary following news of an ‘economic D-Day for Iran,’” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.
He noted that, “Strong buying interest emerged toward the close, pushing the market into positive territory. The late-session buying provided support despite prevailing uncertainty.”
Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market was down for the most part of the day as the latest exchange of threats between the US and Iran caused further concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. On the final minutes, bargain hunting took over causing the market to have a positive close.”