PSE Index Extends Slide as Investors Remain Wary of Economic Headwinds

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index Wednesday continued its downslide, falling 53 points, or 0.86 percent, to 6,137.23 points amid a lack of positive economic data.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, August 26, 2026

The market opened higher and reached an intraday high of 6,186.99 points on news of another attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but investors subsequently sold into the rally, sending the index to an intraday low of 6,113.49 points.

The services sub-index declined by a hefty 2.47 percent, with market favorite International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) closing 3 percent lower at ₱920.50 on trades worth ₱1.22 billion.

Holding firms also declined, with market bellwether SM Investments Corp. retreating 0.70 percent to ₱569. Property stocks fell 0.45 percent, with Ayala Land Inc. dropping 2.53 percent to ₱15.40.

Financials rose 0.30 percent, while industrials gained 0.02 percent and mining and oil advanced 0.14 percent.

Market uncertainty was evident in the movement of Apex Mining Co. Inc., which fell 1.11 percent to ₱16.

The stock swung between an intraday high of ₱16.18 and a low of ₱15.96.

Foreign investors were net sellers again, with net selling reaching ₱692 million on foreign buying of ₱2.485 billion and foreign selling of ₱3.177 billion.

Total foreign trades amounted to ₱5.6 billion, while value turnover reached ₱5.34 billion.

Market breadth remained negative, with 94 losers against 78 gainers and 79 shares unchanged. The market is expected to remain in the doldrums amid continued peso weakness and expectations of higher inflation as transport costs rise.