Philippines share prices closed 0.5 percent higher on Friday in cautious trade ahead of next week's three-day holiday, dealers said. Philippine markets will be closed on Monday for village elections nation-wide. Trading will resume on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the market will be closed again on Thursday and Friday for two religious holidays.
The composite index ended up 17.10 points at 3,784.88 after moving between 3,769.31 and 3,787.24. The all-share index advanced 8.20 points to 2,348.53. There were 69 advancers and 44 decliners, while 55 stocks were steady.
A total of 3.7 billion shares worth 4.6 billion pesos (104.45 million dollars) changed hands. Among Friday's big gainers was Philex Mining, the country's biggest miner.
The stock jumped 50 centavos to a record 9.80 pesos amid surging gold prices. Philippine Long Distance Telephone, which fell five pesos to 3,070. Globe Telecom retreated 15 pesos to 1,720. San Miguel A rose one peso to 59, while its B shares gained a peso to 62.