ICTSI, Telco Stocks Save the Day for the PSE Index

Global port operator ICTSI and telco stocks saved the day for the market on Monday, nudging the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index to a small gain of 9.46 points, or 0.16 percent, to 6,093.53 points.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, October 21, 2025

Mining stocks, however, lost their luster as investors took profits amid another day of muted trading, weighed down by geopolitical risks and protest actions over corruption issues involving alleged ghost flood control projects.

The index had a vigorous rally at the opening, rising to an intraday high of 6,130.98 points, before dropping to a low of 6,018.65 points as investors sold down their positions.

Ayala Land, for instance, climbed to a high of ₱22.70 but closed lower at ₱22.00, down 2.0 percent, dragging the property counter to a 0.25 percent decline, although SM Prime gained 0.65 percent to ₱23.25.

Market bellwether SM Investments hit an intraday high of ₱750 but closed at ₱735, for a 1.34 percent loss.

The industrial sector lent support to the market, complementing a hefty 1.10 percent advance in the services sub-index, which saw ICTSI climb 3.75 percent to ₱550, PLDT rise 0.92 percent to ₱1,098, and Converge increase 1.76 percent to ₱12.72.

Supporting the industrial gains were Meralco, up 1.93 percent to ₱581; Universal Robina, up 0.74 percent to ₱74.95; and Manila Water, up 1.47 percent to ₱34.50.

The mining and oil counter slid 2.96 percent, while financials dipped 0.11 percent, holding firms declined 0.64 percent, and property lost 0.25 percent. Mining investors locked in profits following the recent surge in share prices.

OceanaGold fell 6.75 percent to ₱29.00, Apex Mining dropped 2.26 percent to ₱10.40, and Philex Mining slid 3.27 percent to ₱9.18.

Value turnover remained below average at ₱5.23 billion as investors held off in anticipation of the upcoming Maynilad IPO. Foreign buying exceeded foreign selling by ₱231 million, with total buying at ₱2.685 billion versus ₱2.454 billion in selling.

Market breadth was negative, with 127 losers, 84 gainers, and 47 unchanged issues, including Globe Telecom, Haus Talk, PNB, Alternergy, Topline, PSE, Citicore REIT, and Petron.

Among the gainers were JG Summit, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank, Robinsons Land, Belle Corp., Union Bank, National Reinsurance, SPNEC, Jollibee Foods, Monde Nissin, Vitarich, Concrete Aggregates, D&L Industries, and DMCI Holdings.

Among the losers were Aboitiz Equity Ventures, BDO Unibank, DigiPlus, Citystate Savings, VistaREIT, AllHome, PhilWeb, Roxas & Co., ACEN Corp., San Miguel, China Bank, GMA-7, Bloomberry, Emperador, Ginebra, First Gen, Security Bank, Aboitiz Power, and Shell Pilipinas.