The Week In Review: Local Equities Navigate Rate Cut Hopes and Economic Realities
Posted on 2/8/26
The trading week, commencing Monday, February 2, 2026, brought a mixed but generally upward trend to local equities, as investors weighed the twin forces of anticipated central bank rate adjustments and robust economic data. Optimism largely stemmed from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas's (BSP) hints at potential policy easing later in the year, coupled with the strong performance indicated by preliminary Q4 2025 GDP growth figures. This positive sentiment saw certain sectors experience significant gains, though underlying anxieties, such as ongoing government probes into infrastructure projects, kept some segments under pressure, creating a selective market environment.
Real estate and financial stocks were among the week's standout performers, riding high on the back of interest rate cut expectations. SUPERCITY REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (SRDC) started the week with shares at 18.0 and emerged as a top gainer, recording an impressive maximum gain of 32.22% when its price peaked at 23.8 on Tuesday, February 3. Similarly, MAKATI FINANCE CORPORATION (MFIN), which opened at 1.9, saw its shares peak at 2.5 on Monday, February 2, delivering a maximum gain of 31.58%. These robust movements underscored renewed investor confidence in segments poised to benefit from cheaper borrowing costs and increased economic activity.
Beyond the core real estate and finance sectors, other issues also posted notable advances. ALLIANCE GLOBAL GROUP, INC. WARRANTS (AGIW) started the week at 1.07 and soared, peaking at 1.37 on Thursday, February 5, for a maximum gain of 28.04%. EASYCALL COMMUNICATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. (ECP) also saw a significant boost, commencing at 2.65 and peaking at 3.29 on Monday, February 2, achieving a 24.15% maximum gain. Mining companies like APEX MINING CO., INC. (APX) and OCEANAGOLD (PHILIPPINES), INC. (OGP) also performed strongly, with APX peaking at 13.8 on Thursday, February 5, a 14.05% rise, likely buoyed by favorable global commodity prices.
However, not all corners of the market shared in the week's optimism. Several holding and resources firms faced significant headwinds. MEDCO HOLDINGS, INC. (MED) started the week at 0.12 but suffered a maximum loss of 19.17%, with its lowest day of the week falling on Wednesday, February 4, closing at 0.097. UNIHOLDINGS INC. (UNH) also experienced a sharp decline, starting at 130.0 and recording its lowest day of the week at 107.2 on Thursday, February 5, resulting in a maximum loss of 17.54%. This downturn for some holding companies could be attributed to a cautious sentiment, potentially exacerbated by the ongoing government probes into infrastructure projects, raising concerns about future investment prospects.
The week also saw notable declines in tourism-related and construction sectors. SUNTRUST RESORT HOLDINGS, INC. (SUN) started at 0.77 and recorded its lowest day of the week at 0.66 on Thursday, February 5, incurring a maximum loss of 14.29%. This might reflect lingering concerns over the impact of recent typhoons on tourism receipts and construction project timelines. EEI CORPORATION (EEI), a major player in construction, also felt the pressure, losing 13.41% from its starting price of 2.46, with its lowest point reaching 2.13 on Wednesday, February 4, hinting at challenges within the construction industry, possibly tied to rising input costs and increased scrutiny on projects.
Meanwhile, some market participants experienced more nuanced movements. ARTHALAND CORPORATION (ALCO) started the week at 0.45 but saw its lowest point at 0.425 on Tuesday, February 3, contributing to a 5.56% maximum loss. CONVERGE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. (CNVRG) started at 14.96 but experienced its lowest point on Thursday, February 5, settling at 13.5, translating to a 9.76% maximum loss for the week, suggesting increased competitive pressures in the telecommunications sector. Even those that closed higher, like VISTA LAND & LIFESCAPES, INC. (VLL) which ended at 1.02 from 1.0, saw volatility, with a low of 0.97 on Monday, February 2, highlighting a discerning investor approach.
As the trading week drew to a close on Thursday, February 5, the market demonstrated a clear division between buoyant sectors benefiting from economic tailwinds and those grappling with specific industry challenges and cautious sentiment. While many issues settled with gains, reflecting optimism surrounding monetary policy and economic growth, significant declines in key holding and resort operators underscore the selective nature of investor appetite. Market watchers now eagerly await further pronouncements from the BSP and the full release of economic indicators, which are expected to shape the direction of local equities in the coming weeks.
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