The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended 2025 on the red, reversing its rise for the last three sessions, but the Philippine peso finished sideways against the United States dollar.

The local bourse’s main index shed 0.21 percent to 6,052.92 points, but the broader All Shares rose 0.25 percent to 3,473.24 points.

Most of the sectoral gauges ended on the red, namely Mining and Oil, 1.17 percent; Property, 1.08 percent; Financials, 0.88 percent; and Services, 0.13 percent.

On the other hand, Holding Firms rose 1.09 percent and Industrial, 0.44 percent.

Volume reached 727.82 million shares, amounting to P4.29 billion.

Advancers led decliners at 139 to 75, while 56 shares were unchanged.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort traced the PSEi’s drop partly to bargain-hunting after the index’s rise last week, “as the markets (are) still on holiday mode recently in view of the series of holidays towards the new year in terms of reduced trading activities/volumes.”

He said the index also corrected after tracking US counterparts, “amid relatively think holiday trading.”

Although the main index gained for the second consecutive month this December, he said full-year performance slipped for the fifth consecutive year due to the impact of US trade policies, geopolitical tensions and weather-related disturbances.

For 2026, he said anti-corruption measures may bolster investors’ sentiments, noting that “these remain the missing link” on investors’ confidence in the economic and the financial markets.

Meanwhile, the local currency ended the year’s trading at 58.79 from its 58.71 close last week.

It opened the day sideways at 58.68, and traded between 58.83 and 58.68. Average for the day stood at 58.79.

Volume went down to USD956 million from USD1.06 billion in the previous session.

Ricafort said the peso corrected slightly against the greenback, sustaining its strength for the last four sessions, and was among the strongest in almost a month due partly to the support from season inflows of overseas Filipino workers.PNA