PSE moves closer to full PDS Group ownership with ₱115.67-million share deal

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 29, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PSE

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is moving closer to taking full control of Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS Group), the company behind key infrastructure for the country’s bond market, after agreeing to acquire another stake from the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Under the agreement signed on October 27, the PSE will purchase 192,776 common shares, equivalent to 3.08 percent of PDS Group, at ₱600 per share. The transaction is valued at approximately ₱115.67 million and remains subject to customary closing conditions.

The acquisition is expected to increase the PSE’s ownership in PDS Group from 94.55 percent to about 97.63 percent, bringing the exchange closer to its goal of owning the entire company.

The move forms part of a broader effort to bring the country’s stock and fixed-income markets under a more integrated structure. PDS Group owns Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., which operates the fixed-income trading platform, as well as a major stake in Philippine Depository & Trust Corp., which provides securities depository services.

By consolidating these operations with the PSE, the exchange aims to streamline trading, clearing, settlement and depository functions while improving market monitoring and risk management.

The planned integration could also help reduce duplicated operating costs, particularly in technology and infrastructure, while creating opportunities to introduce additional financial products and services.

The PSE has been acquiring shares from PDS Group investors as part of its plan to unify the country’s equities and fixed-income market infrastructure. The latest agreement with DBP marks another step toward that objective, although full ownership has yet to be completed.