PSE Index Gains 0.26% as Peso Hits Record Low Against US Dollar

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index closed slightly higher on Wednesday, October 21, gaining 15.34 points, or 0.26%, to 5,821.51 as the Philippine peso weakened to a record low against the US dollar.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, October 21, 2026

The index opened higher and reached an intraday high of 5,831.90 before selling pressure pushed it down to a low of 5,799.40. It subsequently recovered to finish the session in positive territory.

Among the major banks, BDO Unibank fell 0.59% to ₱117.80 after reaching ₱118.60 during the session.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) declined 0.81% to ₱98.35 after hitting an intraday high of ₱99.90, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) dropped 1.37% to ₱61.10 after reaching ₱61.95.

Market bellwether SM Investments Corp. rose to an intraday high of ₱557.50 before closing 0.90% lower at ₱550.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) reached ₱456.40 before retreating 2.32% to ₱445.40.

Sector performance was mixed. Financials declined 0.61%, industrials fell 0.57%, and holding firms slipped 0.39%. Meanwhile, services gained 1.53%, mining and oil advanced 0.43%, and property rose 0.93%.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), a market favorite, gained 2.38% to ₱860 on trading value of ₱1.87 billion.

GCash-related shares, identified in the original report under the ticker or company name used by the source, declined 0.15% to ₱6.59 on trading value of ₱1.29 billion.

Other reported gainers included Ayala Land, SM Prime Holdings, Ayala Corp., Philex Mining, and Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp.

Total market turnover reached approximately ₱7.04 billion. Foreign transactions amounted to ₱8.88 billion, with foreign investors recording net buying of approximately ₱503 million.

Foreign purchases totaled ₱4.695 billion, compared with sales of ₱4.192 billion.

Market breadth was positive, with 92 advancing stocks, 83 declining stocks, and 73 unchanged issues, according to the reported figures.