PSE Index Slips 0.16% on Profit-Taking Despite Easing Middle East Tensions

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index fell on Wednesday as investors booked profits, closing at 6,296.64, down 38.08 points or 0.16 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, August 5, 2026

The benchmark index opened near Tuesday's closing level and climbed to an intraday high of 6,316.68 amid reports of progress in talks aimed at easing the Iran conflict.

However, investor optimism faded, triggering profit-taking that pushed the market lower by the close.

Meralco, considered a defensive stock, climbed to an intraday high of ₱490.20 before investors took profits, sending the stock down 0.62 percent to close at ₱482. Maynilad also declined 1.15 percent to ₱18.90, while market bellwether SM Investments slipped 0.08 percent to ₱595.

Mining and oil was the only sector to post gains, advancing 4.63 percent on continued interest in gold-related stocks.

All other sub-indices ended lower despite reports of easing geopolitical tensions, with Qatar and Oman participating in efforts to facilitate a peace agreement involving the Strait of Hormuz.

The financials sub-index declined 0.33 percent, industrials fell 0.31 percent, holding firms dropped 0.06 percent, property lost 0.17 percent, and services slipped 0.09 percent.

Market favorite ICTSI bucked the broader decline, rising 0.20 percent to ₱1,005 on trading volume worth ₱1.2 billion.

Among mining stocks, Apex Mining surged 7.04 percent to ₱15.20, while Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. gained 9.25 percent to ₱14.88. Meanwhile, Ayala Land and SM Prime Holdings ended lower.

Total value turnover reached ₱6.83 billion, while foreign trades amounted to ₱7.69 billion. Net foreign selling stood at ₱585 million, with foreign buying at ₱3.55 billion and foreign selling at ₱4.13 billion.

Market breadth remained positive, with 102 gainers, 84 losers, and 49 unchanged issues.