Stocks tumble as investors stay on sidelines

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February 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Investors chose to err on the side of caution yesterday, resulting in a negative finish for the local stock market ahead of a holiday break.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index inched down by 0.25 percent or 16.03 points to end at 6,368.55.

The broader All Shares index likewise tumbled by 0.93 percent or 32.97 points, settling at 3,527.29.

“Investors took a cautious stance while waiting for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policy decision, which will be up this week,” Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said.

All sectors were in the red, except for financials which eked out a 0.13 percent increase.

Industrial took the biggest hit, declining by 0.89 percent, followed by mining and oil, which slipped by 0.8 percent.

Tantiangco said trading was tepid, with net value turnover at P4.22 billion, lower than the year-to-date average of P6.35 billion.

“This comes as many investors chose to stay on the sidelines while waiting for catalysts,” Tantiangco said.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi corrected lower for the third straight as the Lunar New Year holiday this year reduced trading activities in some East Asian countries.

Ricafort also cited recent developments that could adversely affect the local coal industry and the continued increase in local fuel prices.

Decliners quashed advancers, 140 to 79, while 51 shares were unchanged.

Semirara Mining and Power was the session’s top traded stock and was also the worst index performer, plunging by 21.39 percent to P26.10.