PSE sets yet another record
PSEi closes at 7,803.45, markets have gained 7.9 percent since the start of the year
THE Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed above the 7,800 level for the first time as it ended Wednesday’s session at 7,803.45, up by 10.05 points or 0.1 percent. The previous record close was 7,793.40 on 17, 2015.
The PSEi also set a new all-time intraday high yesterday at 7,840.39.
“We are optimistic that emerging markets like the Philippines will remain resilient amidst uncertainties in the Eurozone. On the local front, we expect corporate profits and dividend stories to continue to lift the market,” said PSE president and chief executive officer Hans B. Sicat
The PSEi has gained 7.9 percent since the start of the year.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets rallied and the euro held up on hopes of a settlement in Greece’s debt stand-off after it emerged that the country will ask for an extension to its bailout and avoid a painful eurozone exit.
Another record close on Wall Street also provided support, although trade was thin with some markets closed and others winding down for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Tokyo rallied 1.18 percent, or 212.08 points, to 18,199.17, while Hong Kong ended up 0.14 percent, or 47.20 points, at 24,832.08. Singapore added 0.58 percent, or 19.75 points, to 3,435.66 in abbreviated trading.
Sydney rose 0.98 percent, or 57.5 points, to close at 5,915.7, with logis- tics firm Toll Holdings surging almost 50 percent on news Japan Post offered to buy the firm in a deal worth more than $5 billion.
Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei were closed for public holidays.
Greek public television said Tuesday that the new government would apply for further aid from its European partners, but would not sign up to the painful austerity measures imposed on the country.
And in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said: “We should extend the credit programme by a few months to have enough stability so that we can negotiate a new agreement between Greece and Europe.”
The news will come as a relief after two eurozone finance ministers’ meetings in the past week both collapsed without agreement, as Athens refused to continue with the bailout that imposed swingeing spending cuts and tax hikes.
The apparent change of face also comes days before its financial lifeline package expires, which would leave the country without any cash and unable to pay its bills, leading it to default and almost certainly an exit from the eurozone.
Investors bought up the euro on the reports and it held the gains in Asia.
The single currency fetched $1.1407 and 135.80 yen Wednesday, down from $1.1413 and 136.13 yen in New York afternoon but well above the $1.1357 and 134.70 yen quoted in Tokyo earlier Tuesday.
The dollar fetched 119.00 yen from 119.29 yen in New York and 118.55 yen in Tokyo on Tuesday.