PSEi plunges as peso nears record low, August 19, 2026

Philippine financial markets came under renewed pressure on Wednesday as stocks suffered a sharp decline while the peso posted its second-lowest close on record.

Philippine financial markets ended lower on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as both the stock market and the peso weakened, with equities falling sharply while the local currency moved closer to its record low.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped 106.36 points, or 1.70%, to close at 6,158.34, giving up the marginal gains recorded in the previous trading session. The index fell below the 6,200 level, marking a sharper retreat after briefly stabilizing above the threshold in the previous session.

Peso posts second-lowest close

The Philippine peso weakened, losing 3 centavos to close at ₱61.815 against the US dollar, extending its decline for a fifth consecutive trading day.

The local currency reached an intraday high of ₱61.995, around 20 centavos weaker than the previous session’s rate and nearly breaching the ₱62 level. The latest close marked the peso’s second-lowest on record, coming just 3.8 centavos short of the ₱61.853 record set on July 24.

Wednesday’s session reflected renewed pressure across Philippine financial markets. The PSEi suffered its sharpest decline in recent sessions and fell further below 6,200, while the peso continued its slide and moved within striking distance of its record low.

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