PSEi at risk of losing critical level
Investors will monitor a slew of overseas data this week, but risks to the downside remain after the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed below a key support level.
The PSEi shed 2 percent last week to end Friday’s session at 6,142.90. This was its lowest finish in over a month as external developments such as the Israel-Hamas war weighed on sentiments. “The failure of the index to hold above the important 6,150 support level last Friday will shift the tone of trading toward caution this week,” Juan Paolo Colet, managing director at investment bank China Bank Capital Corp., said over the weekend.
‘Dampened risk sentiment’
“Increasing US Treasury yields and the volatile Israel-Hamas conflict have dampened risk sentiment as investors wrestle with tight monetary policy, upward oil price pressure and geopolitical tension,” he added. Colet said investors would be on the lookout for key data releases this week.
These include the US’ gross domestic product for the third quarter and its core personal consumption expenditures price index for September, among the indicators followed by the powerful US Federal Reserve. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi would need to hold 6,100 or risk falling lower to around 6,040 to 6,000.
For the upside, the next major resistance level was seen at 6,430 up to almost 6,700, he said.
