The index had been just 1.6 percent away from bull territory, with foreign flows turning to net buying, before global tensions triggered a selloff and renewed volatility.
The sudden shift exposed how quickly external risks can stall momentum, even as local fundamentals improve.
Call to act
At the second InvestPH conference on Tuesday, Philippine Stock Exchange president and CEO Ramon Monzon laid out a more aggressive roadmap focused on expanding products, upgrading systems, and widening investor access.
“With new reforms in place, the Philippines is indeed prime for investment. The time is now,” he said.
Monzon said the focus is no longer just recovery, but building a market that can sustain growth despite global uncertainty.
Building the engine
The Exchange is expanding its product lineup, including Global Philippine Depositary Receipts, derivatives, and structured warrants to deepen investor participation.
It is also rolling out a new trading engine, order management system, disclosure platform, and depository system over the next two years.
“At the PSE, we are not just observing; we are building the engine to sustain our growth. We are working on initiatives because the goal is clear: to transform the Philippine capital market into a platform that is not only strong, but also inclusive for every kind of investor,” Monzon said.
He added that reducing friction and improving access will be key to sustaining investor interest.
“My takeaway after today’s session is that in order to accelerate growth, we should focus on enhancing the ease of doing business through less regulation, digital transformation, and implementation of practical reforms,” the PSE chief said.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
