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The Week In Review: Mining and Holdings Lead Gains Amidst Robust GDP Signals, Financial Sector Sees Mixed Fortunes

Posted on 2/1/26

The local equities market navigated a dynamic four-day trading period this week, from Monday, January 26, to Thursday, January 29, 2026, demonstrating a mix of robust gains and significant pullbacks. Investor sentiment was largely influenced by the latest GDP growth figures, which surprised many with their resilience, suggesting a stronger economic foundation than previously anticipated. Whispers of potential central bank rate cuts in the near future also injected cautious optimism, particularly for interest-rate sensitive sectors. However, lingering concerns over ongoing infrastructure project probes continued to cast a shadow on certain development-related companies, contributing to a volatile environment where selected stocks soared while others faced steep declines.

Among the week's stellar performers, Dominion Holdings, Inc. (DHI) led the charge, having started the week with a price of 3.15 and settling with a strong 4.32 at the end of Thursday's trading. The diversified holding firm saw an impressive maximum gain of 37.14%, peaking at 4.32 on Thursday, January 29, a testament to renewed investor confidence in its asset portfolio. Similarly, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (AT) posted a remarkable 27.76% maximum gain, starting at 8.14 and closing at 10.4, with its peak on Thursday, January 29, mirroring a positive outlook for the mining sector. Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation (LODE) also surged, beginning at 0.44 and concluding at 0.57, after peaking at 0.57 on Thursday, January 29, reflecting a substantial 29.55% maximum increase.

The banking sector experienced a boost, partly fueled by the aforementioned central bank rate cut expectations. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) started the week at 117.0 and settled robustly at 124.0, achieving a maximum gain of 5.98% and peaking at 124.0 on Thursday, January 29. In the gaming and leisure space, Bloomberry Resorts Corporation (BLOOM) started at 2.66 and finished at 2.86, peaking at 3.01 on Tuesday, January 27, marking a 13.16% maximum gain. Furthermore, Philweb Corporation (WEB) demonstrated significant upward momentum, starting at 7.93 and settling with a notable 9.69, having peaked at 9.69 on Thursday, January 29, for a maximum gain of 22.19%, indicating strong performance in the technology-driven gaming solutions.

Conversely, some segments faced considerable headwinds. Makati Finance Corporation (MFIN) endured a challenging week, starting at 1.9 and closing significantly lower at 1.36. The stock experienced its lowest day of the week on Thursday, January 29, with a maximum loss of 28.42%, possibly due to sector-specific pressures or profit-taking. Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation Preferred B-2 Subseries "A" Shares (TCB2A) also saw a sharp decline, starting at 0.05 and settling at 0.04, with its lowest point on Wednesday, January 28, representing a 20.0% maximum loss. ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation - Philippine Deposit Receipts (ABSP) similarly struggled, opening at 4.4 and closing at 3.61, registering a 17.95% maximum loss on Wednesday, January 28, reflecting ongoing uncertainties in the media industry.

The resource sector presented a mixed picture, with some firms facing losses. Imperial Resources, Inc. (IMP) started at 1.1 and ended the week at 1.05, enduring its lowest day on Wednesday, January 28, with a maximum loss of 18.18%. East Coast Vulcan Mining Corporation (ECVC) also suffered, opening at 0.395 and settling at 0.335, hitting its lowest point on Thursday, January 29, for a maximum loss of 15.19%. In the communications realm, Easycall Communications Philippines, Inc. (ECP) started at 3.1 and concluded at 2.65, with its lowest performance on Thursday, January 29, reflecting a maximum decline of 14.52%. These downturns highlight the selective nature of market rallies amidst broader economic adjustments.

Despite the overall volatility, some companies demonstrated notable resilience or recovery. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICT), a key player in logistics and infrastructure, started the week at 604.5 and settled at 642.0, peaking at 645.0 on Tuesday, January 27, registering a healthy 6.7% maximum gain. This performance could be linked to the government's continued focus on infrastructure development, despite ongoing probes in other areas. Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SHLPH) also showed strength, starting at 12.08 and closing at 12.5, peaking at 12.78 on Monday, January 26, indicating a 5.79% maximum gain, possibly benefiting from stable oil prices and robust domestic demand. Even with a significant intra-week dip, Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) managed to recover, starting at 0.75 and settling at 0.79, after experiencing its lowest day on Tuesday, January 27, at 0.65.

The week ending January 29, 2026, painted a clear picture of a market driven by both optimism and caution. While robust GDP growth figures and the prospect of central bank rate cuts provided a tailwind for certain sectors like banking, mining, and diversified holdings, specific company and sector-specific challenges, exacerbated by scrutiny on infrastructure projects, led to significant losses elsewhere. Investors are likely to closely monitor upcoming economic indicators and further details on the central bank's monetary policy stance in the coming weeks, as these will be crucial in shaping market direction and identifying new opportunities or potential risks in a still-evolving economic landscape.