PSEi ends flat as inflation hits 25-month high

Philippine stock prices closed relatively flat on Friday as investors digested the February inflation report.

The benchmark PSEi index declined by 1.12 points or 0.02% to end at 6,881.37, while the All Shares index slipped by 4.68 points or 0.11% to close at 4,158.54.

Inflation rose to a 25-month high of 4.7%, accelerating for the fifth consecutive month and surpassing January's rate of 3.9%. This increase was primarily attributed to rising pork prices due to supply constraints caused by African swine fever (ASF).