Stocks slightly lower, peso at P52.10:$1

March 19, 2018

Stocks ended slightly lower on Monday, as the Philippine Stock Exchange index closed 2.61 points lower to 8, 235.54.

Although foreigners were net buyers for the first time in 18 sessions, the broader market remained negative. There were 168 decliners, 62 gainers and 37 shares unchanged.

Volume reached 5 billion shares worth P8.48 billion. Foreigners were net buyers with  P173.7 million from buying of P3.828 billion and selling of P3.65 billion.

Most active shares were led Metrobank, down 1.07 percent to P87.55; Ayala Land, 1.22 percent up to P41.50,. Now Corp., down 22.28 percent to P9.87 and JG Summit, down 1.63 percent to P63.80.

The peso closed at P52.10 against the US dollar from Friday's P51.93. Volume at the Philippine Dealing System reached $480.30 million from $835.60 million. DMS