Manila: Domestic output in the second quarter of 2025 picked up to 5.5 percent from 5.4 percent in the previous quarter, boosting the Philippine peso but not the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) on Thursday. The local currency strengthened to the 56-level and closed the day at 56.97 from 57.47 on Wednesday. It opened the day’s trade at 57.33, better than its 57.6 start in the previous session. It traded between 56.97 and 57.35, resulting in an average of 57.19 for the day. Volume rose to USD2.71 billion from day-ago’s USD2.5 billion.

According to Philippines News Agency, on the other hand, the PSEi shed 0.09 percent to 6,364.69 points, and the All Shares by 0.10 percent to 3,776.06 points. Most of the sectoral counters also ended on the red, led by the Industrial, which fell 1.53 percent. It was trailed by the Holding Firms, 1.38 percent; Property, 0.24 percent; and Mining and Oil, 0.006 percent. Services and Financials, meanwhile, rose by 2.05 percent and 0.62 percent, respectively.

‘Some investors might have expected stronger (domestic growth) results following the solid performance of the agriculture sector,’ Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corporation’s head of sales, said. Other factors that contributed to investors’ sentiment during the day include earnings reports by listed companies, developments on Wall Street, and expectations for monetary policy adjustments, he said. ‘However, broader sentiment remains watchful amidst evolving trade dynamics,’ he added.