Share prices edged higher on last-minute buying .
The peso closed lower as traders awaited the decision of the central bank on its policy rate when it meets Thursday.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) was up 6.72 points, a 0.11 percent hike to 6,335.91.
The broader All Shares index was up 2.98 points or 0.09 percent to 3,400.87.
Losers edged gainers 99 to 80 with 42 stocks unchanged. Trading turnover reached P24.82 billion.
The peso closed at 56.84 to the dollar, down from 56.78.
The currency opened at 56.65 and hit a high of 56.60 and a low of 56.865. Trading turnover reached $1.09 billion.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected leave key interest rate unchanged at 6.25 percent for a third consecutive meeting on Thursday and likely to keep it there for the rest of the year to assess the impact of previous hikes on inflation, a Reuters poll found.
Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital and Development Corp., said the market managed to rebound at closing, buoyed by US market’s overnight close.
“On the economic front, Wall Street is looking ahead to July retail sales data for more insight into the state of the consumer. Import and export price data for the month are also on deck,” Limlingan said.
Most actively traded SM Investments Corp. was down P7 to P860. Ayala Land Inc. was up P0.60 to P29.65. Bank of the Philippine Islands was up P0.70 to P114.60. SM Prime Holdings Inc. was down P0.05 to P30.10. Universal Robina Corp. was down P5.80 to P119. Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. was down P0.40 to P46.10. BDO Unibank Inc. was up P0.20 to P142. GT Capital Holdings Inc. was up P11 to P535. Emperador Inc. was up P0.05 to P21.15. Jollibee Foods Corp. was down P1.40 to P246.20.
