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Small-Cap Surge for Balai, Berjaya; Primex and Cebu Air Face Setbacks on Local Exchange

Posted on 3/12/26

Market observers noted a day of distinct movements across the local exchange, with several smaller capitalization stocks posting significant gains while some larger players and property firms experienced pullbacks. The session highlighted a keen interest in niche sectors, contrasting with broader cautious sentiment elsewhere, particularly impacting certain established names.

Top Gainers

Food and beverage operator Balai ni Fruitas Inc. (BALAI) led the charge, closing up by 9.68% at 0.34. The company, known for its growing presence in the food kiosk business, saw its shares gain 0.03 with a volume of 30,000 and a total value of 10,200.00. This upward movement could reflect renewed investor confidence in consumer-oriented businesses, possibly buoyed by recent economic reopening trends.

Following closely was Berjaya Philippines, Inc. (BCOR), which saw its stock price climb by 7.23% to 6.97, adding 0.47. Trading activity for BCOR involved 2,500 shares valued at 17,425.00.

Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. (NI) also posted a strong performance, advancing by 7.14% to 0.45. Its shares increased by 0.03 on a volume of 10,000, totaling 4,500.00 in value. Mining firms like Nihao often see volatility driven by commodity price movements.

Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation (LODE) was up by 6.49%, closing at 0.41. The stock added 0.025, trading 290,000 shares for a total value of 116,800.00.

Rounding out the top five gainers was Top Line Business Development Corp. (TOP), surging by 6.25% to a last done price of 1.70. With a price change of 0.10, this stock recorded a significant volume of 7,257,000 shares, valuing 12,096,800.00, suggesting considerable investor interest in its future prospects.

Other notable gainers included Concreat Holdings Philippines, Inc. (CHP), up 5.68% to 0.93; Prime Media Holdings, Inc. (PRIM), gaining 5.26% to 1.00; Macay Holdings, Inc. (MACAY), which rose 4.90% to 6.00; Atok-Big Wedge Co., Inc. (AB), increasing 4.71% to 2.00; and Philippine Business Bank, Inc., A Savings Bank (PBB), seeing a 4.05% gain to 7.45, potentially influenced by positive sentiment towards the banking sector.

Top Losers

Conversely, Primex Corporation (PRMX) was the day's steepest decliner, shedding 10.62% to close at 1.01. The property developer's shares fell by 0.12, with 38,000 shares traded for a total value of 38,360.00. Investors may be reacting to sector-specific concerns such as rising interest rates impacting real estate demand or recent company developments.

Zeus Holdings, Inc. (ZHI) also experienced a notable drop, down by 8.06% to 0.057. Its price change was -0.005, with 1,050,000 shares exchanged for a total value of 60,320.00.

Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation "B" (OPMB) declined by 7.69%, closing at 0.012. The stock was down 0.001, recording a substantial volume of 5,600,000 shares, valued at 68,200.00.

ATN Holdings, Inc. "B" (ATNB) saw its shares drop by 6.32% to 0.445. The price change was -0.03, with 850,000 shares traded for 383,250.00 in total value.

Bank of Commerce (BNCOM) rounded out the top five losers, declining by 6.31% to 8.61. The banking stock fell by 0.58, with 24,400 shares changing hands for a total value of 212,129.00.

Other significant losers included Cebu Air, Inc. (CEB), which saw a 6.09% decrease to 30.85 amid continued uncertainties in the travel sector, particularly concerning fuel price volatility; A Brown Company, Inc. (BRN), down 5.56% to 0.85; LFM Properties Corporation (LPC), also down 5.56% to 0.034; Socresources, Inc. (SOC), falling 5.16% to 0.202; and Apex Mining Co., Inc. (APX), decreasing 4.85% to 15.70, a move that could be tied to recent shifts in global commodity prices for precious metals or operational updates.