THE Philippine stock market will be bracing for a week dominated by trade concerns after US President Donald Trump threatened semiconductor companies with hefty tariffs unless they set up operations in the United States.
On Friday, the benchmark PSEi rose 0.53 percent to 6,339.38, while the broader All Shares gained 0.42 percent to 3,767.41. Foreign funds were net sellers of P8.18 million, unloading slightly more than they bought.
“This week, investors are expected to be on the lookout for new catalysts,” Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial Inc. said. “Updates on US trade policy plans, especially on chips and semiconductor tariffs, will be closely watched.”
For nine consecutive weeks, the PSEi has seesawed between gains and losses — a pattern Tantiangco said reflects investor indecision amid mixed signals: prospects of further policy easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, uncertainty over US protectionism and questions about the broader economy’s strength.
“Prospects of further easing by the BSP following supportive economic data this past week may continue to give the market support,” Tantiangco added.
Online brokerage 2TradeAsia.com said the earnings season “will serve as a critical period for validating fundamental theses, which have shifted amidst evolving macroeconomic pressures.”
Investors, it said, should look for “compelling growth stories into 2026.”
