Trading seen flat as investors await new leads

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January 5, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Sideways trading is expected to prevail in the local stock market this week as investors wait for fresh catalysts to support a sustained rally.

2TradeAsia.com, the online arm of F. Yap Securities Inc., said the local bourse opened 2026 on a positive note, as investors gradually repositioned in stocks ripe for the picking, following 2025’s lackluster performance.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index was able to finish in the green last Friday, the first trading day of the year, at 6,135.06, up by 1.14 percent week-on-week.

“While domestic sentiment remains fragile following a series of fourth quarter headwinds, the convergence of stabilizing inflation plus transmission of aggressive monetary easing cycle suggests that local assets are at a structural inflection point,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

“The bridge to cross is the current gap between decent corporate earnings growth and depressed asset prices, following market sentiment that is tilted toward apathy and hunting for catalysts,” it said.

The online broker currently sees immediate support at 5,800, while resistance is at 6,000.

Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco, for his part, said bargain hunting could persist in the local market this week.

With the losing year, he said the market remains at bargain levels.

“The local market is coming off a losing year under tepid trading and heavy net foreign selling. On a positive note, the local market has been holding its position above the 6,000 level,” Tantiangco said.