The Week In Review: Local Optimism Fuels Early Gains, Yet Cautious Trading Persists
Posted on 3/22/26
The trading week, commencing on Monday, March 16, 2026, and extending through Friday, March 20, saw a nuanced performance across the local equities market. Initial investor sentiment was bolstered by the central bank's signals hinting at potential further rate cuts, aiming to stimulate economic growth, alongside the government's continued aggressive push for vital infrastructure projects. This positive macro backdrop set an optimistic tone for several sectors, particularly those poised to benefit from increased consumer spending and construction activities, though some specific issues led to significant downturns for others by mid-week.
Early in the week, several holding firms and resource-related companies emerged as clear frontrunners. DOMINION HOLDINGS, INC. (DHI) started the week with a price of 4.02, showcasing remarkable strength as it peaked at 6.19 on Tuesday, March 17, marking an impressive maximum gain of 53.98%. It settled with 5.42 by Wednesday's close. Similarly, ALSONS CONSOLIDATED RESOURCES, INC. (ACR), which began the week at 0.62, surged significantly, peaking at 0.91 on Monday, March 16, for a maximum gain of 46.77%. The stock eventually settled with 0.72 by March 18, reflecting strong initial momentum.
The rally extended to other notable players in the holding and investment sectors. IPM HOLDINGS, INC. (IPM) commenced the period at 1.59 and demonstrated robust growth, peaking at 2.25 on Wednesday, March 18, achieving a maximum gain of 41.51%, and settling at that same high by the close of the day. Meanwhile, PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. (PRIM) also captured attention, starting at 0.91 and peaking at 1.1 on Tuesday, March 17, representing a strong 20.88% maximum gain. It settled exactly at this peak by Wednesday's market close.
However, the positive sentiment did not extend uniformly across all counters. Some companies faced considerable headwinds, possibly due to sector-specific regulatory probes in real estate and certain mining sub-sectors that emerged during the early part of the week. CIRTEK HOLDINGS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION PREFERRED B-2 SUBSERIES C SHARES (TCB2C) started the week at 10.0 but saw a sharp decline, registering a maximum loss of 16.9% as it hit its lowest day of the week at 8.31 on Wednesday, March 18, which was also its closing price. In the mining sector, UNITED PARAGON MINING CORPORATION (UPM) also experienced a challenging period, commencing at 0.0048 and suffering a maximum loss of 14.58%, hitting its lowest point of 0.0041 on Wednesday, March 18, where it settled.
Further significant losses were recorded by other firms. REPUBLIC GLASS HOLDINGS CORPORATION (REG) started at 2.6 and endured a maximum loss of 13.46%, dropping to 2.25 on Monday, March 16, where it subsequently settled as of Tuesday's close. SHANG PROPERTIES, INC. (SHNG) opened at 3.79 and registered a maximum loss of 12.93%, reaching its lowest point of 3.3 on Tuesday, March 17, before recovering slightly to settle at 3.46 by Wednesday. Interestingly, CITY & LAND DEVELOPERS, INCORPORATED (LAND) started at 0.49 and saw the steepest decline with a maximum loss of 27.55% on Monday, March 16, hitting 0.355, yet remarkably managed to settle at 0.5 by Wednesday, March 18.
Meanwhile, other major players navigated a more varied landscape. SEMIRARA MINING AND POWER CORPORATION (SCC) started the week at 29.05, experiencing a modest maximum loss of 1.89% on Monday, March 16, reaching 28.5, but ultimately clawed back to a maximum gain of 3.27%, settling positively at 30.0 by Wednesday's close. Food conglomerate CENTURY PACIFIC FOOD, INC. (CNPF) began at 33.65 and registered a steady maximum gain of 7.13%, peaking at 36.05 on Wednesday, March 18, where it also settled for the period, demonstrating resilience in the consumer sector.
Overall, the initial days of the March 16-20 trading week painted a mixed but generally upward-biased picture for the Philippine stock market, at least for a select group of beneficiaries from the prevailing economic optimism. While the anticipation of central bank rate cuts and infrastructure growth provided a tailwind for many, specific company-level or sector-related concerns, possibly linked to fresh regulatory scrutiny, tempered overall gains and led to sharp corrections for others. Investors will be keenly watching the broader market performance as the week concludes on Friday and into the next, seeking clearer signals amidst this volatile yet opportunity-rich environment.
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