Local shares end barely flat

Local shares closed barely flat yesterday as stock markets around the world braced for the decision of the US Federal Reserve whether to tweak interest rates, which have been at all-time low for the last seven years. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended 4.91 points or 0.07 percent higher at 7,093.92. Turnover was moderate with 1.469 billion shares valued at 7.0-billion changing hands. Gainers topped losers, 101-63, with 39 issues unchanged.