Manila: Sustained resiliency in the manufacturing sector boosted investor sentiment, driving both the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) and the peso to a positive close on Monday. The local bourse's main index rose 1.58 percent to 6,334.72 points, and broader All Shares by 1.03 percent to 3,430.16 points.
According to Philippines News Agency, most of the sectoral gauges also ended up, led by Services after it rose 3.31 percent. It was trailed by Mining and Oil, which increased 1.56 percent; Financials, up by 1.26 percent; Holding Firms, which saw a rise of 0.76 percent; and Industrial, which grew by 0.47 percent. Only the Property index finished in the red, decreasing by 0.84 percent.
Trading volume reached 611.77 million shares amounting to PHP5.8 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners at 109 to 79, with 53 shares remaining unchanged. Regina Capital Development Corporation head of sales Luis Limlingan commented that alongside the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) report, projections of a steady July 2026 inflation rate further supported the PSEi's gains. Limlingan also noted that "strong earnings from select index heavyweights boosted buying interest, lifting the broader market."
The local currency also showed strength against the United States dollar on Monday, gaining 31 centavos to close at 60.93 from its 61.24 finish last Friday. It opened the day at 61.00, an improvement from its 61.47 start in the previous session. The peso traded between 61.08 and 60.87, bringing the day's average to 60.97. Trading volume reached USD1.45 billion, slightly lower than the USD1.55 billion at the end of last week.
