PSE Index Edges Higher as Thin Trading Reflects Investor Caution

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index edged higher on Friday as investors remained on the sidelines amid thin trading, closing at 6,090.60 points, up 21.18 points, or 0.35 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, September 4, 2026

The market was weighed by geopolitical tensions and continued weakness in the peso, which touched a new intraday low of ₱62.59 against the US dollar. Despite the cautious mood, the index managed to gain as trading remained muted.

Total market turnover reached about ₱3.86 billion, with more than 2 billion shares changing hands.

Industrial was the only losing sector, slipping by a fraction, while Jollibee Foods Corp. declined 1.95 percent to ₱151 and ACEN Corp. fell 1.10 percent to ₱2.70. Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) gained 0.35 percent to ₱462, according to market data.

The other five sectoral indices posted gains, led by mining and oil, which rose 0.75 percent.

Financials increased 0.12 percent, holding firms 0.49 percent, services 0.36 percent and property 0.37 percent.

Market bellwether SM Investments Corp. gained 1.87 percent to ₱562, while International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) rose 0.43 percent to ₱934.50.

Foreign trades amounted to about ₱3.47 billion, with net foreign selling reaching ₱357 million, based on foreign purchases of ₱1.556 billion and sales of ₱1.913 billion.

The relatively low trading activity reflected investor caution as market participants weighed the outlook for inflation, interest rates, the peso and geopolitical developments.

Some traders viewed the low volume as a sign that investors were reluctant to sell at current prices and could be waiting for better valuations before reducing their holdings.

That interpretation, however, remains a market view rather than a confirmed indicator of a coming advance.

The broader market finished with 108 gainers, 93 losers and 54 unchanged issues.