Philippine Equities: Media Conglomerate Soars, Ayala Posts Strong Gains Amidst Energy and Financial Sector Retreat
Posted on 7/3/26
Trading activity on the local bourse on Friday, July 3, 2026, saw significant movements across various sectors, with media and holding firms capturing investor interest while certain financial and energy stocks experienced a notable pullback. The day highlighted both strong sectoral momentum and individual stock-specific reactions.
Top Gainers Lead Market Sentiment
Leading the day's advance was media conglomerate ABS (ABS-CBN CORPORATION), which surged to close at P3.26, marking a significant price change of P0.52 or an impressive 18.98% increase. This strong performance, with 1,029,000 shares traded amounting to P3,167,100.00, could be attributed to ongoing speculation regarding potential strategic partnerships or a rebound in its content production and digital ventures, signaling a hopeful outlook for the previously embattled media giant. Its Philippine Deposit Receipts, ABSP (ABS-CBN HOLDINGS CORPORATION - PHILIPPINE DEPOSIT RECEIPTS), followed suit, rising P0.42 or 17.50% to P2.82, with 287,000 units worth P742,700.00 changing hands.
Property developer Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation (PHA) also posted substantial gains, climbing P0.025 or 17.24% to P0.17. The company saw a volume of 2,100,000 shares traded, valued at P345,930.00, possibly on renewed optimism for its tourism and leisure projects. Zeus Holdings, Inc. (ZHI) registered a 13.73% increase, adding P0.007 to close at P0.058, on a volume of 160,000 shares worth P8,890.00.
In the mining sector, Atok-Big Wedge Co., Inc. (AB) advanced by P0.18 or 12.68% to P1.60. A total of 177,000 shares were traded, amounting to P295,870.00, potentially riding on positive commodity price trends. Medco Holdings, Inc. (MED) gained P0.008 or 9.41%, closing at P0.093, with 140,000 shares valued at P12,850.00.
Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) saw its shares go up by P0.05 or 8.62% to P0.63. The real estate firm recorded a volume of 448,000 shares, translating to a total value of P265,560.00. Phinma Corporation (PHN) added P1.08 or 7.71%, closing at P15.08 on thin trading of 5,200 shares, valued at P73,372.00.
Rounding out the top gainers were Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (C), up P0.05 or 7.25% to P0.74 with 14,000 shares worth P10,040.00, and conglomerate Ayala Corporation (AC). Ayala Corporation rose by P30.80 or 6.84% to finish at P480.80, with a substantial volume of 1,084,200 shares traded for an impressive P516,489,984.00. This significant movement for Ayala could be indicative of strong performance across its diverse portfolio, from real estate to banking and telecommunications.
Losers Hit Financial, Property, and Energy Sectors
Conversely, First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp. (FAF) led the decliners, plummeting by P0.08 or 13.33% to P0.52. The financial holding firm traded 98,000 shares valued at P50,960.00, possibly due to broader market anxieties affecting smaller financial players. Primex Corporation (PRMX), a property developer, also faced a steep decline, shedding P0.14 or 12.28% to close at P1.00, with 20,000 shares worth P20,100.00, reflecting some weakness in the real estate segment.
Another real estate and diversified holdings company, Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), dropped P0.23 or 5.11% to P4.27. Only 12,000 shares were traded, amounting to P51,540.00. A Brown Company, Inc. Series C Preferred Shares (BRNPC) fell P5.20 or 4.88% to P101.30, with 1,020 units changing hands for P105,035.00.
Raslag Corp. (ASLAG), a renewable energy company, experienced a downturn, losing P0.05 or 4.81% to P0.99. The stock saw 107,000 shares traded, totaling P107,160.00. Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SHLPH) also saw its shares retreat by P0.42 or 4.67% to P8.58. A substantial 518,800 shares were traded, valued at P4,554,330.00, likely influenced by fluctuating global oil prices or domestic competitive pressures.
Cebu Air, Inc. Convertible Preferred Shares (CEBCP) dipped by P1.35 or 4.15% to P31.15, with 3,000 shares worth P93,845.00. Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation (RLT) declined by P0.004 or 4.04% to P0.095, trading 160,000 shares for P15,200.00. Easycall Communications Philippines, Inc. (ECP) also saw a drop of P0.10 or 4.02% to P2.39, with 12,000 shares valued at P28,530.00.
Lastly, Cebu Landmasters, Inc. Series A-1 Preferred Shares (CLIA1) closed lower by P37.00 or 3.56% to P1,001.00, with a small volume of 45 shares changing hands for P45,050.00. The mixed performance across sectors suggests a market sensitive to both company-specific news and broader economic trends, particularly impacting financial and energy stocks negatively while media and diversified holdings found favor.
Related:
Market Watch: Imperial Resources, Apollo Global Lead Ascent, Shipping and Mining Stocks See Setbacks
