Inflation slows, but equities slip amid global woes
Here’s a recap of last week’s (ending April 4) market activity from First Metro Securities.
Property news
Robinsons Land Corp. raised P6.21 billion by selling over 1.04 billion shares in Robinsons Commercial REIT (RCR) at a discount, boosting the latter’s public float and paving the way for future asset infusions.
Economic news
Inflation. Philippine inflation eased to 1.8 percent in March 2025—its lowest since May 2020—driven by slower price increases in food, transport, and services, despite some upticks in select commodity groups.
Market wrap
Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi): 6,084.19 (-61.54 pts; -1.00 percent)
The Philippine equity space closed the week on a sour note, with the PSEi shedding 61.54 points (-1.00 percent) to finish at 6,084.19, as risk appetite remained on the back foot. Investors continued to sidestep equities amid global growth concerns, stoked by the Trump administration’s sweeping retaliatory tariffs, brushing off what was a supportive 1.8 percent March inflation print.
Value turnover was relatively muted at P5.14 billion, while foreign funds offloaded P738.51 million worth of local shares—underscoring a cautious tone ahead of the upcoming domestic monetary policy meeting. Market breadth likewise stayed negative, with 102 decliners outnumbering 74 advancers.
All sectoral indices ended in the red, led by Mining & Oil (-2.89 percent) and Services (-2.72 percent), as even defensive names were not spared from broad-based selling.
