The Week In Review: Philippine Equities Navigate Economic Optimism and Local Headwinds (December 15-19, 2025)
Posted on 12/24/25
The trading week of December 15-19, 2025, presented a dynamic landscape for the Philippine stock market, marked by both cautious optimism and sharp adjustments. Investors started the week anticipating potential central bank rate cuts in the coming months, buoyed by recent robust GDP growth figures that signaled a healthy economic trajectory. This blend of positive macroeconomic indicators and individual stock turbulence defined the mid-December trading period, with sectors reacting uniquely to the prevailing sentiment and company-specific news.
Amidst the varied movements, several stocks delivered impressive performances. Dominion Holdings, Inc. (DHI) stood out, starting the week with a price of 1.17 pesos and settling with a strong 1.46 pesos at the end. The company peaked at 1.35 pesos on Tuesday, December 16, following positive market reactions, possibly linked to an optimistic outlook on consumer spending driven by improved economic indicators. Another notable gainer was ABS-CBN Corporation (ABS), which commenced trading at 3.40 pesos and closed the week at 4.28 pesos, even peaking at this closing price on Friday, December 19, suggesting renewed investor confidence in media and entertainment.
Conversely, the week proved challenging for some, with UNIHOLDINGS INC. (UNH) leading the declines. It started the week at a substantial 183.00 pesos but settled with 150.00 pesos at the end, after experiencing its lowest day of the week at 145.00 pesos on Monday, December 15. This sharp correction could be attributed to profit-taking or sector-specific concerns, potentially linked to recent probes into certain infrastructure projects that may have cast a shadow over related holding companies. Philippine Trust Company (PTC) also saw significant volatility, starting at 97.00 pesos and ending flat at the same price, but not before recording its lowest point at 85.95 pesos on Friday, December 19.
The resource and energy sectors presented a mixed narrative. FERRONOUX HOLDINGS, INC. (FERRO) started at 5.43 pesos and settled lower at 4.85 pesos, indicating persistent pressure on some holding companies. However, the energy sector provided an interesting counterpoint with SPC Power Corporation (SPC). Despite starting the week at 10.28 pesos and recording its lowest day of the week at 9.44 pesos on Friday, December 19, it made an impressive recovery to peak and close at 11.50 pesos on Friday, December 19. This remarkable turnaround might be indicative of a strong demand outlook or successful operational adjustments, potentially shrugging off concerns about lingering typhoon impacts on power infrastructure in certain regions.
Smaller cap and emerging players experienced heightened volatility and corrections. APOLLO GLOBAL CAPITAL, INC. (APL) started the week with a trading price of 0.0061 pesos and unfortunately settled with 0.0050 pesos at the end, experiencing its lowest day of the week at 0.0050 pesos on Friday, December 19. Similarly, ABACORE CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. (ABA) saw a downturn, beginning at 0.38 pesos and closing at 0.34 pesos, with its lowest day of the week also recorded at 0.30 pesos on Friday, December 19. These movements often reflect speculative trading or responses to company-specific developments, amplified in the context of broader market uncertainty and profit-taking activities.
The overarching market sentiment continued to be shaped by macroeconomic forces. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) dovish signals regarding future interest rate adjustments provided a positive undercurrent, particularly for sectors sensitive to borrowing costs like real estate and consumer discretionary. Robust GDP growth figures reinforced this optimism, suggesting that the Philippine economy was on a solid recovery path. However, the persistent threat of weather disturbances and ongoing scrutiny over major infrastructure projects, potentially impacting firms like MEGAWIDE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION (MWIDE) and PHILIPPINE INFRADEV HOLDINGS INC. (INFRA), served as reminders of potential headwinds, keeping investors cautious about certain development-related sectors.
As the trading week of December 15-19, 2025 concluded, the market reflected a complex interplay of domestic economic strength and selective stock-specific pressures. While key indices might have shown resilience, the divergent performances of individual stocks highlighted the importance of fundamental analysis. Investors will likely monitor the central bank's next moves closely, alongside any new developments in infrastructure spending or potential weather-related impacts, as they navigate the remaining weeks of the year. The week truly started with a mixed bag of expectations and settled with a clear indication of market segments thriving and those facing notable challenges.
