Hope Pinned on Iran Crisis Lifts PSE Index

Investors pinned their hopes on a resolution to the Iran crisis, drawing optimism from rhetoric coming from President Donald Trump, which nudged the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index higher as it closed at its intraday high of 5,984.94, up 79.45 points or 1.35%.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, April 1 , 2026

The surprise surge, with five of the six sectors posting healthy gains, was anchored on the possibility of an end to the month-long geopolitical crisis that saw oil prices climb beyond $100 per barrel, weighing on both developed and developing economies.

Only the services sector retreated, down 0.43%, as top-traded ICTSI and gaming stock DigiPlus declined.

Investors returned to mining shares and conglomerates on renewed optimism, even as Trump threatened to bomb Kharg Island, a key hub linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Market bellwether SM Investments rose 5.08% to ₱620, providing support to the rally amid hopeful signals that the crisis could ease.

Value turnover jumped 50% to ₱9.8 billion, although foreign investors remained net sellers, offloading ₱712 million. Market breadth was positive, with 124 gainers against 79 decliners.

The market, already reeling from recent declines in the PSE index, is now holding on to optimism. The coming sessions will determine whether that confidence is justified.