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Market Sees Sharp Moves: Keppel Philippines Properties Soars, Mining Giants Decline

Posted on 2/18/26

Trading activity on the local bourse presented a study in contrasts, with select property and industrial firms posting significant gains, while major mining and diversified conglomerates faced substantial downturns. Investors keenly observed movements driven by a mix of speculative interest and sector-specific headwinds and tailwinds.

Top Gainers: Property and Niche Players Lead the Ascent

Leading the day's upward charge was Keppel Philippines Properties, Inc. (KEP), which surged by an impressive 37.40% to close at P3.60. The stock added P0.98 to its value, with 577,000 shares changing hands for a total value of P2,106,470.00. The sharp increase in Keppel's valuation comes amidst renewed market interest in property-related assets and potential corporate restructuring plays, which have often been a catalyst for Keppel entities in the region.

Following KEP was Jackstones, Inc. (JAS), climbing 10.50% or P0.19 to P2.00. The company saw 20,000 shares traded, valued at P40,000.00. Easycall Communications Philippines, Inc. (ECP) also performed strongly, registering a 9.89% gain, up P0.27 to P3.00, on a volume of 22,000 shares and total value of P61,830.00.

Victorias Milling Company, Inc. (VMC), a prominent player in the sugar industry, rose by 7.53%, adding P0.14 to its price, closing at P2.00 with a total value of P160,610.00 from 78,000 shares traded. A. Soriano Corporation (ANS) also saw robust growth, gaining 7.34% or P1.06 to settle at P15.50, on a total turnover of P218,724.00 for 14,300 shares.

Other notable gainers included DFNN, Inc. (DFNN), up 6.67% to P0.80; Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. (INFRA), which advanced 6.06% to P0.35; EEI Corporation (EEI), rising 5.36% to P2.36; Lopez Holdings Corporation (LPZ), up 5.26% to P4.00; and Crown Equities, Inc. (CEI), also gaining 5.26% to P0.080.

Top Losers: Mining and Conglomerates Face Pressure

On the flip side, Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SCC) led the decliners, plummeting by 13.60% or P3.55 to a Last Done Price of P22.55. The coal miner and power producer recorded a massive volume of 37,998,900 shares, translating to a substantial total value of P847,436,030.00. The decline in SCC could be attributed to fluctuating global coal prices, increasing environmental policy pressures, or specific company-related news that weighed heavily on investor sentiment.

Diversified conglomerate DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMC), which has significant interests in mining through Semirara, also experienced a downturn, shedding 7.61% or P0.70 to end the day at P8.50. This represented a substantial P518,252,000.00 in total value from 62,134,000 shares traded, indicating broad-based selling pressure. The performance of DMCI often mirrors the broader market's view on its various segments, including construction and property.

Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation (LODE) fell 7.50%, down P0.03 to P0.37, with 80,000 shares valued at P29,750.00. SOCResources, Inc. (SOC) saw a decline of 7.42%, losing P0.017 to reach P0.212 on a low volume of 30,000 shares.

Philippine Estates Corporation (PHES) dropped 7.14% to P0.325, a decrease of P0.025. Balai ni Fruitas Inc. (BALAI), a food and beverage retailer, also slipped 6.67% to P0.35, with 400,000 shares traded for P143,100.00, reflecting potential concerns in consumer discretionary spending. Medco Holdings, Inc. (MED) was down 6.54% to P0.10.

Rounding out the significant losers were Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. (GEO), dipping 5.49% to P0.086; Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation Preferred B-2 Subseries C Shares (TCB2C), which decreased by 5.36% to P10.60; and Top Frontier Investment Holdings, Inc. (TFHI), shedding 4.92% to P57.05.