PSE Index Plunges Three Milestones

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index plunged through three milestone levels Monday, marking its biggest drop of the year, as news of U.S. tariffs announced by President Trump spooked American and global markets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, April 7, 2025

The index fell sharply due to massive losses among heavyweight stocks, closing at 5,822.85 points—down by 261.34 points or 4.3 percent—its largest one-day decline this year.

All of the Top 10 most active stocks posted significant losses. Top-traded ICTSI, with trades amounting to P3.92 billion, declined by 4.99 percent to P320, down by P16.80, although it touched a low of P311 during the session.

Ayala Corp., the second most active stock, dropped by 3.24 percent to P552.50, down by P18.50. The third most traded stock, BDO Unibank, fell by 4.24 percent to P149, a decline of P6.60.

The financials sector declined by 4.6 percent, industrials fell by 4.81 percent, and holding firms retreated by 3.78 percent.

Market bellwether SM Investments dropped by 4.36 percent to P746, a loss of P34. Value turnover reached P12.9 billion, as most blue-chip stocks tumbled in reaction to the announcement of higher tariffs on America’s trading partners.

Losers outnumbered gainers by almost 7 to 1, with 201 stocks declining versus only 32 advancing; 33 stocks were unchanged.

Analysts note that the market remains above the 5,700-point level, which is seen as its next support. Investors are expected to re-enter the market, taking advantage of the lower valuations.

Property giants Ayala Land and SM Prime also saw their share prices decline—Ayala Land by P1.20 to P22.50, and SM Prime by 55 centavos to P22.40.

Other major losers included Jollibee Foods, Bank of the Philippine Islands, PLDT, Metrobank, DigiPlus, PhilWeb, Vitarich, ABS-CBN PDRs, PH Resorts, and SPNEC, a solar farm operator.