Energy Sector Powers Ahead on the Local Bourse, Selected Preferred Shares Face Headwinds
Posted on 7/15/26
Trading on the local bourse today saw significant movements, with the energy sector demonstrating robust performance while certain preferred shares and financials experienced declines. Investor attention was notably drawn to major energy players, signaling optimism in the power generation outlook.
Top Gainers: Energy Dominance
Leading the day's advancers was First Gen Corporation (FGEN), which surged by 18.42%. The stock closed at ₱19.80, marking a substantial ₱3.08 increase from its previous close of ₱16.72. This impressive performance was backed by a hefty volume of 21,603,900 shares, translating to a total value traded of ₱449,380,000.00. First Gen, a prominent power generation company, likely benefited from positive sentiment surrounding energy demand or potential strategic developments within the sector, possibly related to its natural gas and renewable energy initiatives.
Following closely was Forum Pacific, Inc. (FPI), gaining 16.67% to settle at ₱0.315. It recorded a price change of ₱0.045 from its ₱0.27 previous close, with 20,000 shares traded, valued at ₱6,300.00. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. (FOOD) also saw a significant uptick, climbing 13.21% or ₱0.035 to a last done price of ₱0.30 from ₱0.265. Its trading activity involved 30,000 shares, summing up to ₱9,700.00.
Philippine Estates Corporation (PHES) posted a 12.50% rise, adding ₱0.05 to close at ₱0.45 from ₱0.40, with 10,000 shares traded for ₱4,500.00. Meanwhile, Asiabest Group International Inc. (ABG) climbed 10.12%, up ₱3.35 to ₱36.45 from ₱33.10. This strong movement generated a total value of ₱33,192,400.00 from 937,700 shares. House of Investments, Inc. (HI) also advanced by 7.53%, closing at ₱5.00 with a ₱0.35 increase from ₱4.65 on a volume of 1,058,000 shares worth ₱4,659,060.00. United Paragon Mining Corporation (UPM) saw its share price move up 7.35% to ₱0.0073, adding ₱0.0005 from ₱0.0068, with 4,000,000 shares traded for a value of ₱28,900.00.
Lorenzo Shipping Corporation (LSC) gained 6.15%, closing at ₱0.69 after a ₱0.04 increase from ₱0.65, trading 18,000 shares for ₱12,370.00. First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH), the parent company of First Gen, also closed higher by 5.42%, adding ₱4.50 to reach ₱87.50 from ₱83.00. This surge, reflective of its subsidiary's performance, involved 393,810 shares valued at ₱34,214,000.00. Rounding out the top gainers, Balai ni Fruitas Inc. (BALAI) increased by 4.92%, adding ₱0.015 to settle at ₱0.32 from ₱0.305, with 90,000 shares traded for ₱28,650.00.
Significant Declines: Preferreds and Banking Slip
On the losing end, Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation's preferred shares dominated the bottom of the board. The PREFERRED B-2 SUBSERIES D SHARES (TCB2D) dropped 7.77%, shedding ₱0.59 to close at ₱7.00 from its ₱7.59 previous price. This decline was on a volume of 1,400 shares, totaling ₱9,800.00. Similarly, its PREFERRED B-2 SUBSERIES C SHARES (TCB2C) also fell by 7.22%, down ₱0.65 to ₱8.35 from ₱9.00, with 800 shares valued at ₱6,656.00. The weakening in these preferred shares may indicate a recalibration by investors regarding Cirtek's financial outlook or a shift in preference for fixed-income instruments.
Imperial Resources, Inc. (IMP) recorded a 7.00% loss, dropping ₱0.07 to ₱0.93 from ₱1.00. Volume for the day was 4,000 shares, amounting to ₱3,720.00. Zeus Holdings, Inc. (ZHI) saw a 5.56% decrease, losing ₱0.003 to close at ₱0.051 from ₱0.054, with 200,000 shares worth ₱10,220.00. Central Azucarera de Tarlac, Inc. (CAT) also declined by 5.41%, down ₱0.53 to ₱9.26 from ₱9.79, trading 300 shares for ₱2,846.00.
Bank of Commerce (BNCOM) slipped 5.41%, losing ₱0.60 to close at ₱10.50 from ₱11.10. The bank stock traded 149,200 shares, accumulating a value of ₱1,559,490.00. This dip could be influenced by broader market sentiment towards the banking sector or specific institutional movements. Atok-Big Wedge Co., Inc. (AB) decreased by 5.39%, dropping ₱0.09 to ₱1.58 from ₱1.67, with 8,000 shares worth ₱12,680.00. CTS Global Equity Group, Inc. (CTS) also saw a 5.26% fall, down ₱0.02 to ₱0.36 from ₱0.38, on a volume of 40,000 shares and a total value of ₱14,650.00. Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation (APO) was down 5.21%, shedding ₱0.05 to settle at ₱0.91 from ₱0.96, with 451,000 shares traded for ₱408,930.00. Arthaland Corporation (ALCO) rounded out the major losers, declining 4.44%, or ₱0.02, to ₱0.43 from ₱0.45, with 20,000 shares valued at ₱8,600.00.
Today's trading session highlights a bifurcated market, where the energy sector's strong performance, particularly from First Gen and First Philippine Holdings, contrasted with declines in selected preferred shares and the banking sector.
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