PSEi steadies as peso nears ₱61.80, August 18, 2026

Philippine financial markets closed mixed on Tuesday as stocks stabilized after their recent decline while the peso weakened further and moved closer to the ₱61.80 level.

Philippine financial markets ended mixed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as the stock market posted a slight recovery while the peso extended its losing streak against the US dollar.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 2.90 points, or 0.05%, to close at 6,264.70, slightly recovering from the losses recorded in the previous trading session. The index remained below the 6,300 level, suggesting the market showed signs of stabilization while still struggling to regain stronger momentum.

Peso nears ₱61.80

The Philippine peso weakened, losing nearly 29 centavos to close at ₱61.785 against the US dollar, extending its decline to a fourth consecutive trading day.

The local currency reached an intraday high of ₱61.791, around 19 centavos weaker than the previous rate, bringing the peso closer to the ₱61.80 level as pressure on the local currency intensified.

Tuesday’s session reflected diverging movements across Philippine financial markets. While local equities managed a marginal recovery after recent losses, the peso continued to weaken, highlighting the contrasting performance of the two markets as investors monitored ongoing domestic and global pressures.

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