PSE Index Slumps On “Iran Surrender” Call

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index slumped on Wednesday to 6,337.43 points, down by 31.76 points or 0.50 percent, as geopolitical risks escalated following U.S. President Trump’s call for the unconditional surrender of Iran.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Index, June 18, 2025

The move stoked fears of a broader conflict that could negatively impact emerging markets like the Philippines.

Prior to Trump’s statement, markets had been optimistic about a potential ceasefire, reflected in a quiet 5-point gain at the open from Monday’s close. The index rose to an intraday high of 6,386.04 points before investors were rattled, sending it tumbling to a low of 6,332.58 points.

Banking stocks bore the brunt of the selloff, with the financials sub-index losing 1.71 percent, while mining and oil dropped 1.55 percent.

Other sectoral losers included holding firms (-0.43%), property (-0.05%), and services (-0.24%). Industrials bucked the trend, supported by gains in Meralco (up P10 or 1.84% to P553.50), Aboitiz Power (up 1.84% to P40.95), as well as Universal Robina and Manila Water.

Trading volume was subdued at just P5.28 billion. Foreign trades amounted to P4.3 billion, with foreign buying at P2.053 billion and foreign selling at P2.308 billion, resulting in net foreign selling of P254 million.

Market bellwether SM Investments shed P3 to close at P865. The most actively traded stock was BDO Unibank, with P572 million in trades, closing at P153, down by P4 or 2.55 percent.

Lepanto Consolidated Mining was among the session’s top gainers, with its A and B shares surging by 43.08 percent and 40.31 percent, respectively, to P0.186 and P0.181.

There were 96 gainers, 95 losers, and 52 unchanged issues, including Ayala Land, ACEN Corp., Shell Pilipinas, Topline, Figaro Coffee, Keepers, Abacore, DMC Holdings, MREIT, and San Miguel.

Among the notable gainers were Megaworld, MRC Allied, Puregold, Shang Properties, OceanaGold, ENEX Energy, Oriental Petroleum, Philodrill, Wilcon Depot, Philippine Seven, Belle Corp., Atlas Mining, AREIT, Basic Energy, Petron, Semirara Mining, SPNEC, Ginebra, JG Summit, LT Group, and Emperador.

Meanwhile, among the decliners were Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank, China Bank, PNB, Union Bank, D&L Industries, Citicore REIT, First Holdings, Globe Telecom, PLDT, DITO CME, Converge, Cebu Air, Monde Nissin, Century Pacific Food, AgriNurture, Ferronoux, Megawide, and DoubleDragon.