THE Philippine Stock Exchange index Friday declined 14.13, or 0.5 percent, to 2,940.98 at the close, rounding a 1.4-percent loss last week.

The 32-stock index had its sixth day of declines, its longest losing streak since a seven-day slump ended January 22. The measure is down 19 percent this year.

The following were among the most active shares in the Philippine market Friday. Stock symbols are in brackets after company name.

Consumer stocks: Pancake House Inc. (PCKH PM), an operator of restaurants that specialize in pancakes, dropped P1.10, or 11 percent, to P8.90. The stock is the second-biggest loser by percentage in the market Friday, dropping on concern costs will rise and that prices of bread, meat and poultry will increase. Universal Robina Corp. (URC PM), a maker of snacks and drinks, decreased 25 centavos, or 1.9 percent, to P13.25, the lowest since February 1.

Property Stocks: Ayala Land Inc. (ALI PM), the largest Philippine builder, dropped 25 centavos, or 2.3 percent, to P10.50, its biggest loss since March 14. The stock was biggest contributor to the index’s decline Friday on concern that rising inflation may push up interest rates, making mortgages more expensive. Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC PM), the No. 3 Philippine builder, dropped 25 centavos, or 2.3 percent, to P10.75, the second-biggest contributor in the index’s loss.

Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI PM), which has investments in property, restaurants and distilleries, gained 5 centavos, or 1.2 percent, to P4.10, snapping a four-day, 5.8-percent loss. The Andresons Group Inc. increased to 37.31 percent its stake in the company after buying additional shares in March, Alliance Global said.

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.’s Class A shares (LC PM), equity reserved for Filipinos in the nation’s largest gold producer, dropped 1 centavo, or 2.9 percent, to 33 centavos, its biggest loss since March 17. Its Class B shares (LCB PM) declined 1 centavo, or 3 percent, to 32 centavos. The stocks are the two biggest losers by percentage on the index Friday. Gold for immediate delivery fell 0.5 percent to $928.99 an ounce Thursday.

PAL Holdings Inc. (PAL PM), parent company of the nation’s largest carrier Philippine Airlines Inc., dropped 30 centavos, or 6.7 percent, to P4.20, its biggest loss since March 4, after jet fuel gained 1 percent Thursday in Singapore, rounding a seven-day, 12 percent climb.

Philex Mining Corp. (PX PM), the biggest Philippine metal producer by value, dropped 10 centavos, or 1.5 percent, to P6.50, its biggest loss in 12 days. A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange, including copper and nickel, fell 1.1 percent Thursday, its second loss last week. (Bloomberg)

BELLE Corp., a listed real-estate developer, is in talks with SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) to operate a casino in Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

SM units topped market’s gainers and losers last week

THE week ended April 11 belonged to the SM group of companies. Two of its units dominated the market’s biggest gainers and worst performers.

PUBLICLY traded Chemrez Technologies Inc. (ChemrezTech) said its net profit for 2007 jumped 409 percent to P480.6 million from P94.4 million a year earlier.

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) pared anew the price range per share for its brewery’s initial public offering (IPO) to P8 to P11 apiece to attract investors in a falling market.

THE Philippine Stock Exchange index Friday declined 14.13, or 0.5 percent, to 2,940.98 at the close, rounding a 1.4-percent loss last week.

LAST week: It was a slow week for the stock market with the PSE index ending at 2,940.98 Friday, a loss of 42.06 points or 1.41 percent week-on-week.

The country’s first koi or Japanese carp hotel is being constructed in Hacienda San Benito in Lipa, Batangas.