NEWSFLASH

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PESO, STOCKS WEAKER

Manila, Feb. 18, 1998 - Share prices dipped for the third straight session Monday as the peso weakened with other Asian currencies following the slide of the Indonesian rupiah.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index fell 72.25 points, or 3.45%, to 2,022.73 points when blue- chip stocks succumbed to the selldown.

I. Ackerman & Co, President Irving Ackerman said investors will continue to look at the peso's movement for guidance and share prices will move according to the peso's behavior in the Philippine Dealing System.

The peso Monday closed weaker at P40.80 per dollar, down 45 centavos from Friday's P40.35, with volume turnover amounting to $106.4 million.

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