Stocks end mixed; PSEi stays above 8,000

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) saw a slight pullback Monday, although there was enough buying support to keep it above the 8,000 level.

Data from the PSE showed that the PSEi shed 0.12 percent or 9.35 points to close at 8,061.54. The broader All-Shares index was also down 0.08 percent or 3.84 points to 4,892.48.

Analysts have anticipated a decline given the PSEi’s recent surge and the weak close last week. This week also marks the beginning of the full-year 2018 earnings season when companies start to release their financial reports.

Meanwhile, some 3.4 billion shares valued at P6 billion changed hands yesterday. There were 105 gainers against 108 decliners while 36 companies closed unchanged.

Subsectors also saw a mixed close. Holding firms and property companies gained 0.12 percent and 0.86 percent, respectively. Losers were led by mining and oil, down 1.5 percent, followed by services, down 1.06 percent.

BDO Unibank Inc. was the most actively traded on Monday as it lost 0.86 percent to P138 a share.

It was followed by Xurpas Inc., up 29.2 percent to P2.30; Premier Horizon Alliance, up 16.67 percent to P1.47; Bloomberry Resorts Corp., down 0.5 percent to P12, and International Container Terminal Services Inc., up 0.61 percent to P114.70 a share.

Other actively traded companies were Ayala Land Inc., down 0.22 percent to P44.90; Petron Corp., down 6.25 percent to P6.75; SM Prime Holdings, up 1.68 percent to P39.30; Bank of the Philippine Islands, down 1.15 percent to P90.65, and Ayala Corp., up 0.22 percent to P929 a share.