Share prices rose Thursday, tracking overseas leads.
The peso closed up.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) was up 20.12 points to 6,850.16, a 0.29 percent hike.
The broader All Shares index was up 7.45 points or 0.21 percent to 3,574.21.
Gainers edged losers 106 to 91 with 46 stocks unchanged.
The peso closed at 55.911 to the dollar, up from 55.95 on Wednesday.
The currency opened at 55.98 and hit a high of 55.85 and a low of 56. Trading turnover reached $1.2 billion.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is due to announce its interest rate decision next week.
The BSP reinforced its hawkish stance on Tuesday, noting upside risks to the inflation outlook despite slower annual inflation in January.
Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital and Development Corp., said investors digested positively the health of the US economy through more fourth quarter earnings results.
“The fourth quarter earnings season has been stronger than expected, giving investors confidence that the healthy economy could continue driving corporate profits, “ Limlingan said.
Most actively traded BDO Unibank Inc. was up P3.60 to P153.60. Bank of the Philippine Islands was up P0.80 to P113.40. International Container Terminal Services Inc. was up P1 to P271. Ayala Land Inc. was up P0.40 to P34.90. Universal Robina Corp. was down P0.10 to P111.30. SM Prime Holdings Inc. was down P0.15 to P34.65. Ayala Corp. was down P15 to P700. SM Investments Corp. was up P5 to P915. Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. was up P1.50 to P59.20. Monde Nissin Corp. was up P0.27 to P9.95.
