Stock market analysts are taking a broadly positive view this year, with strong domestic fundamentals and even a pivot to China seen enough to counter threats, including higher interest rates and volatility arising from a United States led by President Donald Trump.
Analysts polled by the Inquirer said the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index would end 2017 higher over last year, when the measure closed at 6,840.64.
For April Lee-Tan, research head at COL Financial Group Inc., the PSEi target level is around 7,500, adjusted to reflect bond market movements.
“In general, I’m still positive on the economy. However, I think we need to be selective when buying stocks— there’s no point in buying expensively since the economy right now is facing a lot of threats,” Tan said in an e-mail.
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
“I’d definitely be a buyer on dips since I don’t see major long-term threats to the economy and given some possible positive surprises that aren’t being factored in by the market,” she added.
Those threats involved a weaker peso, rising inflation and interest rates, and a possible slowdown in the business process outsourcing sector should President Trump pursue protectionist policies.
