Market Watch: Thinly Traded Issues Soar, Resort Stocks Retreat
Posted on 5/19/26
Trading on the local bourse saw notable movements across various sectors, with some thinly traded issues registering extraordinary gains, while resort and some property stocks experienced significant pullbacks. The day's activity underscored a selective appetite among investors, focusing on specific narratives or reacting to sector-specific headwinds.
Top Gainers Highlight Niche Performances
Leading the advancers was Philippine Trust Company (PTC), which surged an impressive 33.33%. The stock added P30.00 to close at P120.00, though this dramatic increase was driven by an extremely low volume of just 70 shares, valued at P7,999.00, indicating a highly specific or block transaction rather than broad market participation.
Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) also posted a remarkable gain of 12.87%, climbing P296.00 to a last done price of P2,596.00. Similar to PTC, its significant percentage rise was on minimal trading activity, with only 50 shares changing hands for a total value of P129,800.00.
Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation (RLT) saw its shares appreciate by 7.14%, moving up P0.007 to P0.105. A volume of 50,000 shares contributed to a total value of P5,250.00.
In the telecommunications and IT space, NOW Corporation (NOW) advanced by 6.25%, with its price increasing P0.03 to P0.51. The company, which has been consistently pursuing its 5G network expansion and enterprise services, saw a robust volume of 6.15 million shares traded, amounting to P3.07 million in value.
Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) recorded a strong 5.77% increase, adding P1.50 to settle at P27.50. The bank, recognized for its aggressive push into digital banking and fintech innovations, generated P9.03 million in total value from 331,800 shares traded, reflecting positive sentiment in the banking sector.
Other notable gainers included Megawide Construction Corporation Non-Voting Perpetual Series 7B Preferred Shares (MWP7B) which rose 4.00% to P106.50 on P798,395.00 value, Del Monte Pacific Limited (DELM) up 3.47% to P5.07, and retail giant Puregold Price Club, Inc. (PGOLD) gaining 3.32% to P48.20, with significant volume of 4.27 million shares valued at P203.99 million, possibly driven by resilient consumer spending outlook.
Ayala's renewable energy arm, ACEN Corporation (ACEN), continued its upward trend with a 3.17% climb, adding P0.10 to P3.25. The company's active expansion in green energy projects across Southeast Asia likely fuels investor confidence, evident in its high trading volume of 15.13 million shares, totaling P48.68 million. PetroEnergy Resources Corporation (PERC) also saw a 3.04% increase, closing at P3.73.
Resort and Property Stocks Face Headwinds
On the losing end, Suntrust Resort Holdings, Inc. (SUN) experienced a sharp decline, plummeting 16.07%. The stock shed P0.09 to close at P0.47, with 614,000 shares traded for P299,900.00. The company, currently developing a hotel and casino complex in Entertainment City, Manila, may be facing investor apprehension regarding project timelines or overall market sentiment for the gaming and tourism sector.
Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), a developer known for its sustainable projects, saw its shares fall by 10.45%, down P0.07 to P0.60, with 1.33 million shares worth P799,160.00 exchanged.
Euro-Med Laboratories Phil., Inc. (EURO) also registered a significant drop of 10.17%, closing P0.12 lower at P1.06 on P45,240.00 total value. Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation (APO) declined by 8.74%, shedding P0.09 to P0.94, with 3.99 million shares traded for P3.84 million.
PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc. (PHR), another player in the resort and casino development space, retreated by 6.35%, losing P0.012 to P0.177. Volume stood at 570,000 shares, valued at P101,430.00, indicating broader cautiousness within the hospitality and leisure sector.
Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. (INFRA), involved in key infrastructure projects, including the Makati subway, decreased by 5.97%, dropping P0.02 to P0.315. The trading of 760,000 shares amounted to P242,550.00, suggesting investor reevaluation perhaps linked to project financing or progress.
Other decliners included Crown Equities, Inc. (CEI) down 5.88% to P0.08, Boulevard Holdings, Inc. (BHI) also dropping 5.88% to P0.032, Philippine Bank of Communications (PBC) losing 5.87% to P15.72, and Cebu Air, Inc. (CEB) falling 5.86% to P29.70. The airline industry, represented by Cebu Air, remains susceptible to external factors such as fuel price volatility and evolving travel demand, potentially contributing to its dip.
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