Stock index ends week above 7,000

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended the week on a subdued note, signs that investors remained cautious about jumping back into the market.

Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange showed that the PSEi added 0.14 percent, or 10.27 points, to close on Friday at 7,151.52. The broader All Shares index was down 0.06 percent to 4,359.65. Elsewhere in the region, equities markets were mixed while Wall Street declined overnight.

Among subindices, industrial and holding firms dropped 0.28 percent and 0.24 percent, respectively. Services were also down 0.10 percent. Mining and oil gained 2.21 percent, followed by property, up 0.6 percent, and financials, up 0.42 percent.

A total of 2.1 billion shares valued at P4.9 billion changed hands on Friday. There were 92 gainers against 88 decliners while 48 companies closed unchanged.

Gokongwei-led Universal Robina Corp. was the most actively traded for the day as it sank by 0.41 percent to P145.90 a share.

It was followed by Manila Electric Co., down 1.64 percent to P346.90; Semirara Mining and Power Corp., up 5.73 percent to P29.50; BDO Unibank Inc., up 1.18 percent to P119.80; and SM Prime Holdings Inc., up 0.15 percent to P34.50 a share.

Other actively traded stocks were Ayala Land Inc., up 0.74 percent to P40.90; Aboitiz Power Corp., up 1 percent to P35.15; Globe Telecom, down 4.25 percent to P1,915; SM Investments Corp., down 0.35 percent to P865; and Security Bank Corp., up 0.33 percent to P152.50 a share.