DigiPlus Joins PSEi as Newest Bellwether
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) has announced a new addition to its ranks, with digital entertainment company DigiPlus Interactive Corp. officially becoming a member. This highly anticipated move, which took effect on August 18, places DigiPlus among the nation’s most valued and liquid companies, marking a significant milestone for the firm. The inclusion is particularly noteworthy as it comes on the heels of a challenging July for the company’s stock price. The new PSEi member will take the place of Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which was simultaneously transferred to the MidCap index, showcasing the dynamic nature of the country’s stock market. The inclusion of a digital entertainment firm in the primary index highlights the growing importance of the technology and entertainment sectors in the Philippine economy, a key trend in the country’s financial landscape.
Objective Criteria Underpinning The Index’s Integrity
Analysts were quick to point out that the decision to include DigiPlus was an objectively justified one, as it was based on the company meeting all of the required quantitative criteria during the official review period. The review window, which ran from July 2024 to June 2025, had already concluded before the company’s stock experienced a significant price decline in July. This drop was a direct market reaction to a proposed legislative bill aimed at introducing stricter regulations for online gambling. This sequence of events underscores the integrity of the Philippine Stock Exchange’s regular review process, which is meticulously designed to ensure the index accurately reflects the performance of the companies over a defined historical period, rather than reacting to short-term volatility or political news after the fact.
Broader Market Shifts and New Investment Horizons
The announcement of DigiPlus’s inclusion was part of a broader set of changes that were implemented across the market’s various indices. In a move to refine the Dividend Yield index, two prominent firms, The Keepers Holdings Inc. and Puregold Price Club Inc., were added to the list, recognizing their consistent payouts to investors. Concurrently, several other companies, including Bloomberry Resorts Corp., Asia United Bank, and OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., were welcomed into the MidCap Index, signaling their growing market capitalization and liquidity. In a separate but equally significant development, the trading suspension for Asiabest Group International Inc. (ABG) was officially lifted. The lifting of this suspension followed a change in majority ownership, and the company is now poised to re-enter the market with a new strategic focus on mass housing and infrastructure development, opening up a new investment horizon for the firm and its shareholders.
