PSE Market Shifts: Oil Explorers Fuel Gains, Ayala Corporation Sees Steep Decline
Posted on 9/22/26
Trading on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, saw a dynamic session on the local bourse, with significant movements among a diverse set of companies. Oil and mineral exploration firms led the charge among the top gainers, while a major conglomerate experienced a sharp downturn, impacting overall market sentiment.
Top Gainers: Speculative Buzz and Sector Strength
The day's most notable rallies were concentrated in the oil and mineral exploration sector, buoyed by what appears to be renewed speculative interest. Both classes of Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation shares posted identical, strong gains. Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'B' (OPMB) soared, adding P0.003 to close at P0.018, a 20.0% increase, with 109,500,000 shares worth P1,910,100.00 changing hands. Its 'A' shares, Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'A' (OPM), also climbed by P0.003 to P0.018, representing a 20.0% gain. This class traded a substantial 666,900,000 shares for a total value of P11,163,300.00. The Philodrill Corporation (OV) followed suit, increasing by P0.0012 to P0.011, a 12.24% rise, on a massive volume of 490,000,000 shares valued at P5,258,300.00. These movements suggest that investors may be positioning themselves on the back of potential commodity price upticks or upcoming exploration news.
Real estate developer Araneta Properties, Inc. (ARA) also made a strong showing, jumping P0.05 to P0.31, an impressive 19.23% gain. This was achieved on a volume of 1,250,000 shares, totaling P363,550.00 in value. Another property player, LFM Properties Corporation (LPC), edged higher by P0.002 to P0.020, up 11.11%, albeit on very thin trading of 100,000 shares valued at P2,000.00.
Logistics giant LBC Express Holdings, Inc. (LBC) recorded a notable 13.79% increase, adding P0.97 to close at P8.00. While the percentage gain was significant, the trading volume for LBC was relatively low at 3,400 shares, generating a total value of P26,851.00. This could be an isolated trading event rather than a broad institutional move. Electronic manufacturing services provider Ionics, Inc. (ION) also performed well, gaining P0.34 to reach P3.70, a 10.12% increase, on a more substantial volume of 8,577,000 shares worth P31,004,700.00, possibly reflecting positive sentiment in the tech manufacturing sector.
Rounding out the top gainers were Pacifica Holdings, Inc. (PA), up P0.10 to P1.05 (10.53%), Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), which gained P0.46 to P5.49 (9.15%) on extremely low volume, and Waterfront Philippines, Incorporated (WPI), rising P0.03 to P0.44 (7.32%).
Top Losers: Conglomerate Weakness and Market Jitters
On the losing side, the market saw a notable decline in one of the country's most prominent conglomerates. Ayala Corporation (AC) experienced a significant drop, shedding P43.00 to close at P490.00, an 8.07% decrease. This substantial loss was accompanied by a high trading value of P1,035,489,980.00 from 2,051,590 shares, indicating considerable investor re-evaluation or profit-taking in the blue-chip stock. Concerns over broader economic conditions, interest rate outlook, or specific project developments may have contributed to this decline.
Among other significant decliners was Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. (MAH), which fell P0.09 to P0.63, a 12.5% slide. Cebu Air, Inc. Convertible Preferred Shares (CEBCP) also saw a notable downturn, losing P2.00 to finish at P23.00, an 8.0% decrease, possibly reflecting ongoing challenges or uncertainties in the travel and tourism sector despite recovery efforts.
Mining and resources firms also faced headwinds. Seafront Resources Corporation (SPM) was down P0.21 to P2.39 (-8.08%), while East Coast Vulcan Mining Corporation (ECVC) dropped P0.025 to P0.345 (-6.76%). Everwoods Green Resources and Holdings, Inc. (EGRN) also declined by P0.002 to P0.026 (-7.14%). Imperial Resources, Inc. (IMP) recorded a P0.05 loss, closing at P0.82 (-5.75%).
Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. (TUGS), a shipping and logistics company, retreated by P0.12 to P1.78, a 6.32% fall, with 2,161,000 shares traded for P3,904,760.00. Real estate developer Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) also closed lower by P0.04 to P0.59 (-6.35%). Lastly, ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation - Philippine Deposit Receipts (ABSP) lost P0.16, settling at P2.46 for a 6.11% decrease, continuing to reflect the ongoing challenges faced by the media company.
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