Philippine Equities: Mining, Media, and Real Estate Drive Gains; Gaming and Industrials Face Headwinds
Posted on 12/26/25
The Philippine Stock Exchange witnessed notable movements across various sectors today, with some companies experiencing significant upticks driven by investor optimism, while others faced considerable declines. Market activity highlighted shifts in sentiment for key players in media, mining, real estate, and consumer industries.
Among the day's top performers, ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation - Philippine Deposit Receipts (ABSP) recorded a substantial surge, closing at 4.10 pesos, up 1.00 peso or 32.26% from its previous close. The media giant's stock moved 72,000 shares, generating a total value of 294,740.00 pesos. The continued interest in ABS-CBN's pivot to digital platforms and content partnerships, following its broadcast franchise non-renewal, likely contributed to this positive movement, as investors eye future growth avenues.
Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) also posted strong gains, climbing by 0.23 pesos to settle at 1.31 pesos, marking a 21.30% increase. The mining company saw robust trading with a volume of 19,016,000 shares, valuing 23,042,200.00 pesos. This performance could be linked to favorable commodity prices for nickel and positive outlooks for the mining sector, potentially reflecting global demand or specific operational updates.
Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. (TUGS) sailed higher, adding 0.115 pesos to its price, reaching 0.61 pesos, a significant 23.23% rise. With 40,000 shares traded, its total value reached 22,000.00 pesos, as the logistics and shipping sector continues to navigate evolving trade dynamics.
In the real estate sector, Rockwell Land Corporation (ROCK) climbed by 0.18 pesos, closing at 1.89 pesos, which translates to a 10.53% gain. The upscale property developer transacted 1,018,000 shares for a total value of 1,931,210.00 pesos, reflecting sustained investor confidence in premium property developments and the broader real estate market.
On the other side of the ledger, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (PLUS), a prominent player in the gaming industry, experienced a notable dip. The stock closed at 15.60 pesos, shedding 0.74 pesos or 4.53% from its previous close. Despite the decline, PLUS remained actively traded with 8,098,900 shares exchanged, resulting in a substantial total value of 130,054,000.00 pesos. This movement could be influenced by recent regulatory updates or sector-specific news affecting online gaming operations, or profit-taking after previous runs.
Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. (ABA) was also among the day's significant losers, dropping 0.025 pesos to close at 0.275 pesos, an 8.33% decline. The holding company saw considerable volume, with 54,390,000 shares traded for a total value of 15,226,500.00 pesos. Investor sentiment for holding companies can be sensitive to macroeconomic factors and the performance of their diverse portfolio assets, with recent market jitters potentially contributing to the sell-off.
Food and beverage firm Del Monte Pacific Limited (DELM) also registered a decline, falling by 0.28 pesos to 4.51 pesos, a 5.85% drop. The company traded 85,000 shares, amounting to 384,800.00 pesos in total value. The performance of consumer staple companies like Del Monte can be impacted by changes in raw material costs, consumer spending habits, and currency fluctuations, which might be weighing on investor outlooks.
Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) saw a significant absolute price decrease, closing 120.00 pesos lower at 1,880.00 pesos, a 6.00% reduction. However, its trading volume was exceptionally low at just 5 shares, totaling 9,400.00 pesos, indicating highly illiquid trading for the day or possibly a specific block transaction rather than broad market sentiment.
Overall, the trading session showcased varied investor appetites, with strong interest in select growth-oriented sectors like mining and media, while some industrial and gaming stocks faced selling pressure, reflecting a cautious but opportunistic market environment.
