PSE Index Slides 1.57% as EDSA Gridlock Dampens Investor Sentiment

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index started Tuesday's trading session on a strong note but surrendered its gains as the day progressed, closing at its intraday low of 6,037.17, down 96.24 points or 1.57 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, April , 2026

Investor sentiment weakened amid heavy traffic congestion along EDSA, reportedly triggered by a lightning rally staged by a religious organization, raising concerns over possible disruptions to business activity.

Eight of the 10 most actively traded stocks posted losses. Century Foods was the lone gainer among the group, rising 1.64 percent to P31.00, while market favorite ICTSI ended unchanged at P890.00 after volatile trading worth P1.7 billion.

ICTSI traded between P873.50 and P895.00 during the session.

Most blue-chip stocks opened higher before retreating sharply and eventually closing near their intraday lows.

Investors reduced their market exposure as political uncertainty intensified following the temporary closure of portions of EDSA. Market participants expressed concern that prolonged protests could disrupt economic activity.

According to its spokesperson, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) held the rally to protest the planned filing of a plunder complaint against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, which the religious group described as an act of "selective justice."

Among actively traded issues, BDO Unibank fell 4.48 percent to P118.50 after trading between P123.70 and P118.40.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) declined 1.99 percent to P14.80, after reaching an intraday high of P15.24 before dropping to P14.50 and recovering slightly through bargain hunting.

Market bellwether SM Investments Corp. climbed above the P600 level at the opening, touching P607.00, before reversing course to finish near its intraday low of P590.00, down 2.8 percent.

Other blue-chip stocks, including Jollibee Foods Corp., Ayala Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) and DigiPlus Interactive Corp., also ended lower as investors reacted cautiously to the protest activity and broader political uncertainty.

Foreign investors were net sellers by P342 million, with foreign buying reaching P3.936 billion and foreign selling totaling P4.278 billion. Total value turnover amounted to P6.79 billion.

Market breadth was negative, with 112 decliners, 78 advancers, and 40 unchanged issues.