PSEi climbs to 6,465 as BSP easing lifts sentiment
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed on Friday as investors cheered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ latest interest rate cut. Meanwhile, foreign funds returned to the market, helping extend the rally.
The benchmark PSEi rose 0.9 percent or 57.97 points to close at 6,465.12.
The advance was driven largely by optimism over lower borrowing costs, which tend to support economic activity and corporate earnings, according to Philstocks Financial Inc.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi rose for the third straight trading day. This was its highest level in one week or since Feb. 12.
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“It also placed the index among one-month highs and its strongest showing in more than seven months, or since July 14, 2025, after earlier profit-taking ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays,” Ricafort said.
Philstocks financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said that despite the gain, trading activity remained subdued.
Net value turnover reached only P5.37 billion, below the year-to-date average of P6.25 billion. This reflected cautious participation among investors.
Foreign investors provided support, ending the session as net buyers with inflows of P351.89 million. This reversed the selling trend seen in previous sessions.
All sectoral indices finished in positive territory, with banks leading the charge after climbing 1.68 percent.
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The broader market also showed strength, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners, 107 to 93.
Among individual stocks, Puregold Price Club Inc. emerged as the top index gainer, rising 3.85 percent to P40.50.
On the other hand, Acen Corp. was the main laggard, declining 3.23 percent to P2.70.
Increasing risk appetite
Ricafort said other positive factors for the PSEi include the narrower balance of payments data, which helped improve sentiments. Risk appetite has also increased in US and global financial markets, with US stocks remaining near record highs.
“Asian markets have likewise posted stronger gains amid renewed fund flows into emerging markets, particularly in Asia where valuations are relatively lower. This shift has partly benefited the Philippine market, which had underperformed in recent years and is now playing catch-up,” he added.
Analysts said the market’s upward movement reflected investor optimism following the central bank’s policy easing. Yet, relatively thin trading suggested that some participants remained cautious while assessing the outlook for interest rates and the broader economy. INQ
