Last-Minute Selling Spree Leaves PSE Index In Decline

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index declined Tuesday after a last-minute selling spree that caused blue-chip stocks to tumble, closing 21.51 points lower at 6,284.68, down 0.34 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, March 18, 2025

This was the lowest point of the day, with financials falling by 0.41 percent, industrials down 0.23 percent, holding firms declining by 0.21 percent, and services retreating by 0.68 percent.

Meanwhile, the mining and oil sector gained 2.64 percent, and the property sector rose by 0.66 percent.

Market bellwether SM Investments surged to P825 during the session but dropped to P813 at closing, unchanged from Monday’s close. BDO Unibank, the most actively traded stock with P1.66 billion in transactions, fell by P2.80, or 1.60 percent, to P160.40.

A notable aspect of today's trading was the continued net foreign buying and increased trading volume.

Foreign buying reached P4.13 billion, while foreign selling amounted to P3.798 billion, resulting in a net foreign inflow of P337 million. Total value turnover hit P8.46 billion.

The market opened at 6,312.63 points, briefly rising to 6,329.74 before declining as trading progressed. Just before closing, the index was fractionally higher, but intensified selling pressure led to a lower finish.

The session ended with 100 gainers, 92 losers, and 44 unchanged stocks.

Among the gainers were Digiplus, China Bank, Converge, Ayala Land, San Miguel, PhilWeb, Apex Mining, Shell Pilipinas, Semirara Mining, SM Prime, Cebu Air, Citicore RT, MREIT RT, GMA-7, Globe Telecom, VREIT, Puregold, PNB, Aboitiz Power, Keeper Holdings, Abacore, Cosco Capital, JG Summit, Oceana Gold, Nickel Asia, Axelum, and Monde Nissin.

Among the decliners were ICTSI, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Jollibee Foods, Ayala Corporation, Metrobank, ACEN Corporation, Alternergy, Manila Water, Petron Corporation, SPNEC, Emperador, DoubleDragon, Alliance Global, PLDT, Robinsons Land, Bloomberry, Megaworld, AREIT, and Century Properties.

Stocks that remained unchanged included Meralco, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Century Pacific Food, DDMPR RT, MRC Allied, Filinvest Land, Vista Land, and Belle Corporation.