Stock Exchange Roundup: First Abacus Financial Leads Charge as Utilities Face Headwinds
Local equities on February 27, 2026, showcased varied performance across market segments. First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp. (FAF) led the gainers with an impressive 17.86% surge, closing at Php 0.66. Discovery World Corporation (DWC) and Uniholdings Inc.
The Week In Review: Divergent Movements Amid Economic Signals
The Philippine stock market experienced a week of divergent performances from February 16 to 19, 2026, influenced by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' decision to hold interest rates steady, positive Q4 2025 GDP indicators, and lingering effects of Typhoon 'Odette' and infrastructure probes. Keppel Philippines Properties (KEP) led gainers with a 37.40% surge, peaking at 3.6 on Feb 17, while Alliance Select Foods International (FOOD) also saw a significant 21.62% increase. Mining firms like Global Ferronickel Holdings (FNI) and Nihao Mineral Resources International (NI), alongside Philippine Infradev Holdings (INFRA), also posted strong gains. Conversely, Cirtek Holdings Preferred B-2 Subseries C Shares (TCB2C) was the week's biggest loser, plummeting 25.54%, with Philippine Trust Company (PTC) and Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SCC) also experiencing double-digit losses. The week highlighted market volatility, with some stocks like DMCI Holdings (DMC) showing significant intra-week swings before recovering. The outlook remains cautious, with investors focused on future monetary policy signals and economic data.
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Resource Firms Lead Market Gains While Select Preferred Shares Retreat
Trading on Friday presented a stark contrast in performance, with resource companies experiencing significant gains while select preferred shares and property firms encountered downward pressure. Prime Media Holdings, Inc. led the gainers, surging by 13.73% to close at ₱1.16, driven by a volume of 9.63 million shares. The mining sector also saw strong upward momentum, with Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc., Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation, Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc., and Apex Mining Co., Inc. all posting substantial increases, reflecting positive sentiment potentially tied to commodity prices. Apex Mining, in particular, added ₱0.70 to reach ₱16.14 on high trading volume. MRC Allied, Inc. and Greenergy Holdings Incorporated, both with interests in energy, also recorded healthy gains. Conversely, Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation Preferred B-2 Subseries C Shares took the biggest hit, plummeting 20.57% to ₱8.34. Property-related counters like LFM Properties Corporation and PTFC Redevelopment Corporation also saw double-digit percentage declines. Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'A' dropped 7.69%, while Primex Corporation and Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. also recorded losses. Balai Ni Fruitas Inc., Suntrust Resort Holdings, Inc., and Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. rounded out the significant losers, with their performance likely influenced by sector-specific news or broader market sentiment affecting their respective industries. The day's activity highlighted a market responding to distinct drivers across different segments.
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From Spectator to Shareholder: Your First Steps in Equities
Aspiring investors often face inertia despite extensive research. This article outlines a practical, phased approach to enter the stock market, starting with a stable core of blue-chip companies. It then explores income generation through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and strategic growth opportunities in consumer and energy sectors. Crucially, it highlights key red flags to avoid speculative pitfalls and green flags like insider buying for identifying true value. The ultimate goal is to build a consistent investing habit.
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Resource Sector Propels Market Gains, While Banking and Property See Pullbacks
Philippine stocks witnessed a polarized trading session today, with robust gains in the mining and resource sectors, while banking, select real estate, and energy firms saw declines. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. led the top gainers, surging 16.88% to close at ₱0.45 on a volume of 670,000 shares. Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. and Semirara Mining and Power Corporation also posted significant increases of 13.99% and 13.53% respectively, driven by strong volumes and positive sentiment for commodities. DMCI Holdings, Inc., Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'A', LFM Properties Corporation, Nickel Asia Corporation, Wilcon Depot, Inc., Benguet Corporation 'B', and National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines rounded out the top gainers, all recording increases above 5.88%. Conversely, Philippine Trust Company emerged as the top decliner, plummeting 13.68% to ₱88.05, though on very thin trading volume, suggesting an isolated event. Keppel Philippines Properties, Inc. and Vistamalls, Inc. saw notable drops of 10.56% and 8.00%, reflecting softness in parts of the real estate sector. Ferronoux Holdings, Inc., Supercity Realty Development Corporation, Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation, Lorenzo Shipping Corporation, Apollo Global Capital, Inc., First Gen Corporation, and Xurpas Inc. also recorded losses ranging from 4.00% to 6.91%, with Apollo Global Capital, Inc. notably trading over 322 million shares despite its price dip. The day's activity suggests a focused investor approach, with strong interest in resource plays contrasting with caution in other key sectors.
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