PSE index back above 8,000 on positive sentiment in region

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) advanced above 8,000 on Monday as positive sentiments prevailed across the region.

The PSEi gained 0.77 percent or 61.41 points to 8,045.39 while the broader all-shares index was up 0.44 percent or 21.25 points to 4,912.31.

All subsectors gained on Monday save for financials, which lost 0.02 percent. Property stocks rose the most at 1.17 percent, followed by industrial, up 1 percent, and holding firms, up 0.67 percent.

A total of 1.6 billion shares valued at P7.35 billion changed hands on Monday, data from the PSE showed. There were 84 gainers against 91 losers while 63 companies closed unchanged.

Ayala Land Inc. was the most actively traded stock yesterday as it gained 0.85 percent to P1.71 a share.

It was followed by BDO Unibank Inc., down 0.21 percent to P139.50; Bank of the Philippine Islands, up 0.06 percent to P81.85; International Container Terminal Services, up 1.75 percent to P139.90; and Universal Robina Corp., up 2.37 percent to P173 per share.

Other actively traded companies were Ayala Corp., up 0.43 percent to P927; SM Prime Holdings, up 0.89 percent to P39.70; SM Investments Corp., up 0.83 percent to P971; Metro Pacific Investments Corp., up 2.47 percent to P4.56 and PLDT Inc., unchanged at P1,230 a share.  —MIGUEL R. CAMUS