Market Skim Through: August 06, Are they really bargains?

PSE index tumbled down -1.37%, but many are still thankful because it was nearing -2.0% earlier in the day. PSEi is going deeper below its short-term moving averages, so chartists indeed exited in the morning. But many funds clicked buy in the afternoon, which also brought the volume to a decent 5.95 volume. Foreigners were net sellers mostly because they continue to unload Sy stocks, but these funds also bought some index issues like MEG, which recovered to positive.

#	Stock Code	Last	Change	%Change	Value
1	PORT	9.6000	-3.8600	-28.68%	960
2	SPC	4.8000	-0.5000	-9.43%	48,000
3	CSB	11.5400	-0.9600	-7.68%	463,056
4	SEVN	130.0000	-9.0000	-6.47%	358,110
5	PRIM	1.6100	-0.1100	-6.40%	54,950
6	CDC	1.0500	-0.0700	-6.25%	32,710
7	FFI	14.8200	-0.9200	-5.84%	8,836
8	EG	0.0170	-0.0010	-5.56%	23,900
9	ARA	1.3200	-0.0700	-5.04%	342,800
10	LIB	2.0000	-0.1000	-4.76%	734,000
11	OPMB	0.0200	-0.0010	-4.76%	2,100
12	T	2.1000	-0.1000	-4.55%	21,000
13	MAKE	27.5500	-1.2500	-4.34%	5,510
14	AP	32.0500	-1.4000	-4.19%	51,093,170
15	MWC	31.1500	-1.3000	-4.01%	71,176,810
16	SOC	1.0300	-0.0400	-3.74%	431,990
17	HI	7.2400	-0.2600	-3.47%	5,749,837
18	RCB	50.2500	-1.8000	-3.46%	14,116,674
19	EEI	12.0000	-0.4200	-3.38%	13,051,840
20	FGENG	111.6000	-3.7000	-3.21%	11,160

AP and MWC are in the list of worst performers, because of separate news items. AP, because supposed to be power will be the first to get hit by impending rising interest rates. The company's latest earnings report is also not too good compared to last year because of forex losses. MWC, on the other hand, is still threatened by a possible new policy of disallowing them to pass on VAT to consumers. (Changing the rules in the middle of the game = always bad for business).

Albeit the perceived low prices... Cash is still my pick of the week. However it is still useful to ruminate on these:

Sy Stocks are battered. What among BDO, BEL, SMPH, SM, SMDC are now bargains? BEL has potential I think as we near December. Gaming stocks should jump very high as it nears the opening of a new casino. BDO is a bargain at 10 p/e. The rest must find their bottom.

MPI, although it entered my previously declared price entry range,  I wasnt able to get in at 4.93 this morning (conflict with a meeting). Might have another chance within the week?

I added a tranche of MBT at 103.5; thankfully it rose to 105 + in the afternoon. This stock might be a good opportunity to profitably range trade again. Im keeping my substantial position. I also reentered BDO after cutting a small loss yesterday. The bank also recovered decently today, already showing me a bit of profit. But all these are gambles, mind ya.

There's a fighting chance that our market will be green tomorrow. JFC piled on good, confident numbers (and a relatively high divs announcement at that!) to encourage our PSE to show some life. Could be the needed antidote to what SM prompted.

Depending on you appetite for risk, you may get in or not. If you decide to get in, I cant over-emphasize the better-for-risk move of buying in tranches. Do not go all-in. Buy staggered.

If you decide to be on the sidelines, youre aligned with an experienced group of Ghost Month believers. (the month officially starts tomorrow and ends September 4). But would not hurt to be on the lookout for strong companies that are perhaps being sold-off by locals but becoming interesting for foreign brokers.

Good luck!