Resource Firms Lead Market Gains While Select Preferred Shares Retreat
Posted on 2/20/26
Trading activity on Friday saw a notable divergence, with resource-based companies taking the lead among top performers, reflecting sustained interest in the mining and energy sectors. Conversely, certain preferred share issues and property firms experienced a downturn, contributing to a mixed close for individual counters.
Top Gainers Shine Bright
Leading the surge was Prime Media Holdings, Inc. (PRIM), which jumped by a significant 13.73%. The media holding firm closed at ₱1.16, marking a ₱0.14 increase from its previous close. Trading volume reached 9,631,000 shares, valuing the day's trades at ₱9,831,130.0. This robust performance could be tied to speculative interest or broader market anticipation of strategic initiatives within the media landscape.
Mining companies also had a strong showing, propelled by potential movements in commodity prices or exploration updates. Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. (NI) climbed 9.76%, adding ₱0.04 to close at ₱0.45, with 300,000 shares worth ₱129,350.0 changing hands. Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation (LODE) followed suit, gaining 8.33% or ₱0.03 to settle at ₱0.39 on a volume of 80,000 shares valued at ₱30,400.0. Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. (GEO) also saw a 6.98% rise, adding ₱0.006 to its price for a close of ₱0.092, with 400,000 shares traded for a total value of ₱35,750.0.
Apex Mining Co., Inc. (APX), a more established player in the mining sector, recorded a 4.53% increase. The stock closed at ₱16.14, up ₱0.70, on substantial trading of 13,907,200 shares, amounting to a total value of ₱221,994,000.0. The upward trajectory for these mining firms often correlates with favorable global metal prices or optimism surrounding local policy and operational developments.
Other notable gainers included MRC Allied, Inc. (MRC), a company with diversified interests in property and energy, which rose 4.71% (₱0.04) to close at ₱0.89. Its trading volume was significant at 39,568,000 shares, generating ₱33,978,300.0 in value. Greenergy Holdings Incorporated (GREEN), another player in the energy sector, gained 4.91% (₱0.008), closing at ₱0.171 with 4,280,000 shares traded for ₱740,020.0. Far Eastern University, Incorporated (FEU) saw a 5.50% uptick, adding ₱44.0 to close at ₱844.0, albeit on a very thin volume of 50 shares.
Losers Face Downward Pressure
On the losing end, Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation Preferred B-2 Subseries C Shares (TCB2C) experienced the sharpest decline, plummeting 20.57%. The preferred shares lost ₱2.16 to close at ₱8.34, with 1,600 shares traded for ₱13,132.0. This significant drop for a preferred stock could be attributed to specific corporate news, interest rate sensitivities, or a re-evaluation of its yield relative to other market instruments.
LFM Properties Corporation (LPC) also fell substantially, down 15.00% or ₱0.006, closing at ₱0.034. Trading involved 1,800,000 shares for a total value of ₱61,600.0. Following closely was PTFC Redevelopment Corporation (TFC), which dropped 14.06% (₱9.0) to settle at ₱55.0 on a volume of 1,620 shares valued at ₱89,100.0. These property-related declines might signal caution among investors regarding the real estate sector or company-specific developments.
Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation 'A' (OPM) saw its share price decline by 7.69%, shedding ₱0.001 to close at ₱0.012. Despite the small price change, the percentage drop was notable, reflecting its low base. A massive 82,800,000 shares were traded, totaling ₱994,300.0. Such movements in oil and gas explorers are often highly speculative and sensitive to exploration updates or changes in global oil prices.
Primex Corporation (PRMX) dipped 6.84% (₱0.08) to end the day at ₱1.09, with 1,000 shares traded for ₱1,090.0. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. (FOOD) also retreated by 6.67% (₱0.03), closing at ₱0.42 on a volume of 1,060,000 shares worth ₱493,650.0. Balai Ni Fruitas Inc. (BALAI) lost 5.41% (₱0.02) to close at ₱0.35, with 370,000 shares traded for ₱131,350.0. These consumer-oriented declines could reflect shifting sentiment in discretionary spending or company-specific operational concerns.
Rounding out the significant losers were Suntrust Resort Holdings, Inc. (SUN), a key player in the integrated resort sector, down 4.41% (₱0.03) to ₱0.65 on a volume of 11,000 shares valued at ₱7,180.0. News regarding project timelines or tourism outlook often impacts resort and gaming stocks. Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR), engaged in power generation, also declined by 4.35% (₱0.03) to ₱0.66, with 3,228,000 shares worth ₱2,140,490.0 changing hands.
The day’s trading underscored a market grappling with varied sentiments across different sectors, with robust gains in resource stocks offsetting a retreat in some property, preferred share, and consumer-focused issues.
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