PSE Index Rises Nearly 0.5% but Investor Anxiety Persists Over Iran Tensions

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index rose on Monday, but investor caution persisted as peace talks between Iran and the United States appeared to make little progress, reflected in muted trading turnover.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, May 11, 2026

The benchmark index closed at 5,986.85 points, up 25.88 points or 0.43 percent.

The property sector gained on bargain hunting, while mining stocks lost momentum despite the continuing geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

Investors remained wary of market conditions after the index, which hit an intraday high of 6,033.81 points, retreated throughout the session and eventually closed near its lowest level of the day.

Financials posted slight gains, while industrial stocks rose 0.42 percent. The session’s losing sectors were holding firms, which declined 0.67 percent, and mining and oil, which slipped 0.04 percent.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) remained the market’s most active stock, with trades reaching P5.42 billion. Its shares edged up 0.04 percent, helping lift the services sector by 0.42 percent.

Market bellwether SM Investments Corporation fell 0.66 percent to P606 per share, highlighting investor caution as prospects for peace in the Middle East remained uncertain.

Holding firms declined as conglomerates were expected to feel the impact of economic disruptions linked to the Iran crisis.

Property giants Ayala Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings gained 3.48 percent to P16.14 and 2.3 percent to P19.54, respectively, as bargain hunters returned to the property sector after recent declines in share prices.

Total value turnover reached P5.4 billion. There were 91 gainers, 100 losers, and 73 unchanged shares as investors largely stayed on the sidelines.

Market sentiment remained fragile as hopes for stability depended heavily on developments in the Middle East and the durability of the current ceasefire. Local investors also expressed concern that the impeachment issue involving Sara Duterte could weigh on corporate earnings and broader market confidence.