Fragile Peace Threatens PSE Index

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index posted a marginal gain at the close on today after an earlier rally driven by easing geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran crisis.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, Apri 10, 2026

Investors, buoyed by a reported two-week ceasefire, pushed the index to an intraday high of 6,151.80 points before profit-taking set in. The benchmark eventually closed at 6,098.21 points, up by 8.30 points or 0.14%.

However, renewed concerns over developments in the Strait of Hormuz and reports of a limited peace window in the Middle East weighed on sentiment, trimming earlier gains.

Only the services and mining sectors managed to defy the broader decline, while the other four sectors ended in negative territory.

Market bellwether SM Investments mirrored the index’s movement, climbing to an intraday high of ₱627 before easing to close at ₱621, down 0.40%.

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) remained the most actively traded stock, with ₱1.39 billion in value turnover. It closed 3% higher at ₱720, while Apex Mining rose 5.8% to ₱18.40.

Total market turnover reached ₱6.9 billion, while foreign trading activity was recorded at ₱7.8 billion, with net foreign buying of ₱1.51 million.

Market breadth was broadly neutral, with 100 gainers, 102 losers, and 66 unchanged stocks.

Investors are expected to closely watch further developments in Middle East tensions, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz and reported unrest in Lebanon, which could influence near-term market direction.