Manila: Philippine shares slipped as investors book gains, while the peso strengthened on the first trading day of the week. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 0.68 percent to 6,364.94 while All Shares also fell 0.27 percent to 3,781.67.

According to Philippines News Agency, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan stated, "The local bourse opened higher on quarter-end window dressing but closed in the red as investors booked gains ahead of key data releases." He emphasized that the focus is on the upcoming data releases, including Friday's June inflation print and Tuesday's PMI (purchasing managers index) and business confidence readings, which are likely to influence hopes for a BSP rate cut amidst easing inflation.

While almost all sectoral indices experienced declines, the Property sector emerged as an exception, rising by 2.17 percent. Despite the overall downturn, gainers outnumbered decliners with 108 to 82.

The peso, meanwhile, closed stronger against the dollar at 56.33 from the previous trading day's 56.57 finish. It opened at 56.54 and traded within a range of 56.25 to 56.54, with the weighted average of the day standing at 56.38. The volume of trade saw an increase, rising to USD1.82 billion from USD1.57 billion.