PSE Index Falls As Iran Tensions Weigh On Investors

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index started the week lower as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran rattled investors, falling 12.12 points, or 0.21%, to close at 5,843.79 on Monday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, September 21, 2026

The local market remained under pressure as investors monitored the geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on crude oil prices, inflation and economic growth.

Market participants remained cautious amid the ongoing exchange of threats between the United States and Iran, according to Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan.

The PSEi's decline came despite a gain in the holding firms sector, which rose 1.76%.

Financials slipped 0.06%, while industrials declined 1.50%, services fell 0.86%, mining and oil dropped 1.42%, and property decreased 0.56%.

Market favorite International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) fell 0.77% to ₱898, making it the session's most actively traded stock. Its trade value reached about ₱812 million.

SM Investments Corp. rose 1.99% to ₱513 as investors moved into selected conglomerates.

Ayala Corp. gained 5.13% to ₱533, while GT Capital Holdings climbed 4.27% to ₱440.

Total value turnover stood at about ₱6.87 billion, while foreign investors were net sellers by ₱860.88 million. Foreign buying amounted to about ₱3.624 billion, compared with foreign selling of approximately ₱4.485 billion.

Market breadth remained negative, with 115 decliners against 78 gainers and 62 unchanged issues. The broader All Shares index also declined 0.34% to 3,266.71.