Philippine stocks fall below 5,700 amid Middle East crisis concerns

Share prices on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) closed in the red on Wednesday, with the local bourse barometer breaking below the 5,800 level amid lingering concerns about global geopolitics amidst the Middle East crisis. The benchmark PSE index shed 19.42 points or 0.33% to 5,795.14 at the closing bell. This is the lowest for the main index in nearly five months or since May 29, 2026 when it closed at 5,768.76. The broader All Shares likewise declined by 6.91 points or 0.21% to close at 3,246.44. "The local index broke below the 5,800 mark as selling pressure persisted amid continued uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict," said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital. "Investors remained cautious as geopolitical risks and weakening external trade conditions continued to weigh on risk appetite," Limlingan added. A total of 839.557 million shares valued at P8.89 billion, changed hands. Decliners led advancers, 105 to 77, and 62 issues were unchanged. The Philippine economy, while supported by remittances and the BPO sector, is not immune to global geopolitical risks. Fluctuations in energy prices and supply chain disruptions stemming from such conflicts can indirectly impact inflation and business operations. Furthermore, the livelihoods of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a crucial source of income, could be affected by global economic instability, making future developments a key area of observation. Source: GMA Money Philippines