Manila: Profit-taking ended the Philippine Stock Exchange index's rally on Friday, sending most indices lower as the Philippine peso weakened against the US dollar. The main index fell 0.21 percent to 6,611.24 points, while the broader All Shares dropped 0.34 percent to 3,641.24.

According to Philippines News Agency, only Holding Firms gained, up 0.87 percent. Property led decliners, down 1.52 percent, followed by Financials, 0.83 percent; Mining and Oil, 0.58 percent; Industrial, 0.44 percent; and Services, 0.03 percent. Trading volume reached 1.23 billion shares worth PHP19.62 billion. Decliners led advancers 99 to 85, with 77 unchanged.

Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corporation head of sales, stated, "The local index closed lower as profit-taking emerged following the market's strong rally over the week. With the benchmark nearing overbought levels, investors opted to lock in gains, triggering a pullback that sent the index into negative territory." He added that "despite the decline (of the PSE), the move was seen as a healthy correction, helping stabilize valuations amid sustained optimism about earnings and macroeconomic developments."

The peso, meanwhile, closed at 57.66 to the dollar, from 57.61 a day earlier, after opening at 57.7. The local currency traded between 57.54 and 57.75, averaging 57.63, with USD1.50 billion in volume, up from USD1.41 billion in the previous session.