Philippine share prices were 0.36 percent lower yesterday, bucking the regional uptrend. Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 3.26 percent, its biggest single-day rise in about three weeks. Singapore Exchange rose 6.2 percent and United Overseas Bank climbed 3.8 percent.

Malaysian stocks rose 0.91 percent, Indonesian shares were 2.48 percent higher, Vietnam stocks gained 0.68 percent, and Thai stocks were up 0.33 percent.

The Philippine benchmark index bucked the trend to end 0.36 percent lower, weighed down by a 7.4 percent fall in property developer Ayala Land.

Local Analysts say yesterday’s trading reflect the prevailing trading strategy among investors — buy on dip and sell on small gains.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 11.75 points to 3,211.60 for a 0.36 percent decline.

Losers swamped gainers 61 to 30 while 57 stocks were unchanged.

Trading turnover was at 2.12 billion worth P3.35 billion.

Claire Quiray, Accord Capital Equitis, Inc. analyst, the market "still relies on rally."

Today’s scheduled rally at the same time is a concern among investors, that will keep them watching for some indication of violence.

"We don’t expect investors to make fresh positions despite the gains of the US because of the mass action tomorrow although. This is still far from being a big threat in the national security," said Quiray.

"The investing public are just generally very cautious since much bigger problems linking to the US slowdown are still unresolved," she added.