Financials buoy BSE in first quarter

While local equities had a sluggish start in January and February this year, activity picked up significantly in March to close the first quarter on a high, on the backdrop of strong performance by most financial companies.

The domestic companies index (DCI) registered a 2.02 percent increase during the first quarter of 2015, closing at 9693.91 points as compared to 1.18 percent decline that was recorded in the first quarter of 2014.

Around P355 million worth of shares exchanged hands in March 2015 from P65 million in February and P137.1 million in January respectively.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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