PSE Index Plunges Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index plunged by 121.49 points, or 1.92%, to close at 6,218.28 on Monday, as escalating geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on investor sentiment.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, June 23, 2025

The market downturn was driven by growing concerns over the U.S. entry into the Iran-Israel conflict, which is expected to drive up oil prices and slow global economic growth due to the broader Middle East crisis.

All of the Top 10 most active stocks ended in the red. Gaming stocks led the decline, with DigiPlus dropping 7.59% on a value turnover of ₱872 million, while Bloomberry lost 2.62% on ₱433 million in trades.

ICTSI, the third most traded stock with ₱317 million in value turnover, fell by ₱10.40 to close at ₱415.60. Market bellwether SM Investments Corp. shed ₱23, or 2.62%, to finish at ₱855.

All sectoral indices closed lower. The mining and oil index suffered the steepest decline at 3.48%, followed by financials (−2.40%), holding firms (−1.94%), industrials (−1.68%), property (−2.56%), and services (−0.54%).

Traders expect further downside in the coming days as geopolitical risks continue to mount.

The Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes—has emerged as a new flashpoint, potentially pushing global transport and oil prices higher.

Decliners overwhelmed advancers, 142 to 60, with 44 issues unchanged. Total turnover reached ₱6.29 billion. Net foreign buying stood at ₱108 million, with total foreign inflows at ₱3.138 billion.

Notable gainers were RCBC, Citystate Savings, National Reinsurance, Meralco, Petron, Shell Pilipinas, SMC Food and Beverage, Cosco Capital, CEMEX Holdings, Vitarich, DMC Holdings, and Global Estate.

Also in the green were Robinsons Commercial REIT, Robinsons Land, Shang Properties, PhilSeven, Apex Mining, OceanaGold, Globe Telecom, and Lepanto A and B shares.

Stocks that dropped were Metrobank, BDO Unibank, Philex Mining, Ferronoux, Ferronickel, Ayala Land, SM Prime, Jollibee Foods, LT Group, JG Summit, Alliance Global, and Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Down, as well, were GT Capital, Abacore, China Bank, EastWest Bank, PNB, Monde Nissin, Security Bank, ACEN Corp., Alternergy, Keeper Holdings, Aboitiz Power, Manila Water, Topline, Semirara Mining, First Gen, D&L Industries, Emperador, San Miguel Corp., Vista Land, VistaREIT, ABS-CBN, GMA-7, and PLDT.

Rounding out the list of losers were DITO CME, Converge, Megawide, Cebu Air, Steniel, PhilWeb, and Century Pacific Food.

UnionBank, Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Axelum Resources, Figaro Coffee, and Megaworld finished trading unchanged.