Market Watch: Mining and Shipping Companies Steer Gains, Key Sectors Face Pullback
Posted on 8/24/26
Trading on August 24, 2026, saw a dynamic session across various sectors, with resource-based companies and shipping firms making significant advances. Conversely, some players in the energy, finance, and hospitality sectors experienced notable declines, reflecting a mixed sentiment in the broader market.
Top Gainers Rally on Commodity and Maritime Optimism
Leading the day's strong performers was Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR), which climbed by 15.38% with a price change of P0.16 to close at P1.20. The energy and power generation firm traded a substantial volume of 106,499,000 shares, valuing P123,508,000. Market watchers speculate renewed interest in the power sector amidst long-term energy demand forecasts and potential project developments.
The mining sector was particularly robust, with Manila Mining Corporation 'A' (MA) and its 'B' shares (MAB) among the top advancers. Manila Mining Corporation 'A' soared by 15.38%, adding P0.0012 to its price to finish at P0.0090. It recorded a massive volume of 306,000,000 shares, translating to a total value of P2,644,500. Its 'B' shares followed suit, gaining 13.16% (P0.0010) to reach P0.0086, with 156,000,000 shares worth P1,326,900 changing hands. This surge could be attributed to a positive outlook on global commodity prices or specific exploration updates.
Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. (TUGS) also delivered a strong performance, rising 13.99% or P0.20 to a closing price of P1.63. The company saw 14,921,000 shares traded, accumulating a total value of P23,598,100, suggesting an uptick in maritime activities or favorable shipping rates as global trade stabilizes.
Further bolstering the mining sector were Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. (NI) and Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. (ORE). Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. gained 13.79% (P0.06) to P0.495, with 2,690,000 shares traded for P1,262,950. Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. advanced 9.62% (P0.05) to P0.57, with a volume of 2,548,000 shares amounting to P1,484,490. These smaller mining firms often show higher volatility in response to sector-wide sentiment.
Major mining firm Philex Mining Corporation (PX) also ended the day positively, up 7.10% or P0.76 to P11.46. With 10,542,900 shares traded, its total value reached P119,752,000. The broader enthusiasm for mining stocks, possibly fueled by strong metals prices and progress on key projects like Silangan, appears to have lifted even established players.
Other notable gainers included Lorenzo Shipping Corporation (LSC), which saw a 6.06% increase (P0.04) to P0.70, trading 109,000 shares worth P76,220. DFNN, Inc. (DFNN), a technology and gaming solutions provider, also rose by 6.06% (P0.04) to P0.70, with 14,000 shares valued at P9,550. Acesite (Phils.) Hotel Corporation (ACE) rounded out the top gainers with a 5.79% jump (P0.07) to P1.28, on a volume of 5,000 shares worth P6,400, perhaps hinting at renewed optimism in the tourism and hospitality sector as travel demand picks up.
Key Losers Dragged by Sector-Specific Concerns
On the losing end, Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'A' (OPM) suffered the steepest decline, dropping 7.14% or P0.001 to P0.013. The oil and minerals exploration firm traded 2,500,000 shares for P34,900, possibly impacted by fluctuating oil prices or unfavorable exploration updates.
Vivant Corporation (VVT), a company with interests in power, water, and infrastructure, fell 7.12% (P1.47) to P19.18. Only 2,000 shares were traded, totaling P38,360. This could reflect sector-specific headwinds or project-related news impacting investor confidence.
Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) saw a significant drop of 6.99% or P188.00, closing at P2,502.00. While only 470 shares were traded, the high value of P1,177,500 suggests a substantial adjustment for the financial services giant, potentially due to market-wide financial sector jitters or specific internal company news.
Philippine Estates Corporation (PHES) declined by 6.49% (P0.025) to P0.36, with 10,000 shares worth P3,600. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. (FOOD) also registered a 6.45% drop (P0.02) to P0.29, with 20,000 shares changing hands for P5,800, possibly facing pressures from input costs or heightened market competition in the food sector.
First Gen Corporation (FGEN), another key player in the energy sector, lost 6.34% or P1.90, ending at P28.05. The power generator traded 5,050,300 shares, amounting to P147,187,008. Concerns over power generation capacity, fuel costs, or the regulatory environment may have weighed on its shares.
Phinma Corporation (PHN), a conglomerate with diverse interests, experienced a 6.28% decline (P0.94) to P14.02, trading 600 shares worth P8,412. Bloomberry Resorts Corporation (BLOOM), a major integrated resort developer, fell 5.51% (P0.14) to P2.40. Its shares, with a volume of 30,055,000 and total value of P74,971,200, suggest investor apprehension, potentially tied to global tourism trends, domestic gaming policies, or recent earnings reports.
Lopez Holdings Corporation (LPZ), a diversified conglomerate, dipped 5.47% (P0.33) to P5.70, with 2,322,600 shares valued at P13,371,400. First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp. (FAF) also saw a 5.45% decrease (P0.03) to P0.52, trading 332,000 shares for P168,910.
The day's trading highlighted divergent trends, with strong momentum in the mining and shipping sectors, while major players in energy and finance faced downward pressure, suggesting a selective market influenced by commodity prices, specific corporate developments, and broader economic sentiment.
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