PSE Index Climbs for Fourth Straight Session, but Investors Remain Unconvinced

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index on Thursday rose by 56.46 points, or 0.93 percent, to close at 6,125.72, although market uncertainty persisted.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, July 3, 2026

Five of the six sectoral indices advanced, with gains largely driven by bargain hunting after many blue-chip stocks had declined significantly over the past month.

Value turnover, however, remained below average despite progress in peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Market bellwether SM Investments slipped 0.17 percent to close at ₱581, its intraday low. Defensive stocks also weakened, with Meralco falling 2.22 percent to ₱572 and Manila Water declining 2.78 percent to ₱33.25.

The industrial sector was the lone decliner, slipping 0.11 percent.

Financials rose 0.93 percent, holding firms gained 0.82 percent, services advanced 1.16 percent, mining and oil climbed 2.45 percent, and property increased 0.80 percent.

Investors remained cautious despite encouraging developments in efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement between the United States and Iran, which helped push crude oil prices down to about $68 per barrel, their lowest level since 2020.

Among the blue-chip stocks that rebounded on bargain hunting were Ayala Corp., which gained 5.88 percent to ₱450, and Ayala Land Inc., which rose 3.01 percent to ₱15.04.

Foreign investors remained net sellers, with net foreign selling totaling ₱199 million.

Foreign buying reached ₱2.711 billion, while foreign selling amounted to ₱2.910 billion. Market breadth turned positive, with 98 advancers, 87 decliners, and 47 unchanged issues.