THE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) is poised to implement the reduced stock transaction tax (STT) commencing July 1 following the recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12214 or the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA).
“Assuming that the publication of CMEPA is completed prior to July 1, the STT of one-tenth of 1% will be applicable to transactions executed through the exchange starting on July 1,” PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Monzon stated in a document dated June 11 uploaded on the market operator’s platform.
According to Section 29 of CMEPA, the legislation will become effective on July 1, subsequent to its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one newspaper of general circulation.
The CMEPA reduces the stock transaction tax to 0.1% (one-tenth of 1%) down from 0.6% (six-tenths of 1%) of the gross selling price or gross value in money of the stocks sold, exchanged or disposed.
First Metro Investment Corp. Head of Research Cristina S. Ulang remarked in a Viber message that the reduced stock transaction tax is anticipated to foster the market’s evolution over time.
“This diminishes the so-called friction cost of stock trading, making investing more efficient and incentivized, which in turn helps enhance market value turnover,” she noted.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort mentioned in a Viber message that the implementation of CMEPA is expected to increase stock market involvement from both local and international investors.
“This legislation will aid in attracting more significant foreign and local investors through lower stock transaction costs compared to other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Asian stock markets,” he stated. “This is part of our efforts to make our markets more cost competitive for transactions,” he added.
China Bank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet expressed in a Viber message that the reduced stock tax will be advantageous to investors.
“The lowered friction cost will benefit all investors in listed stocks, but it may be especially favorable for traders who frequently speculate on short-term price fluctuations,” he indicated.
“We anticipate that the substantial reduction in the STT will stimulate trading activity and narrow bid-ask spreads,” he further elaborated.
The PSE affirmed in a statement last week that the decrease in the STT is projected to enhance trading activity and liquidity in the stock market, as well as improve the local market’s competitiveness against foreign markets.
Prior to the enactment of CMEPA, the local bourse had some of the highest friction costs in the ASEAN region, as noted by the PSE.
“CMEPA also broadens the scope of STT to other securities listed and traded through a local stock exchange, which provides clarity to the tax regime applicable to the secondary transfer of asset classes other than equities and facilitates the launch of more products in the local stock market,” it added.
“The immediate reduction of the STT to 0.1% from 0.6% is a highly anticipated reform that will benefit investors in the stock market.”
Additional provisions of CMEPA include reducing the documentary stamp tax on the original issuance of shares to 0.75% from 1% and allowing employers to claim an extra 50% tax deduction for Personal Equity and Retirement Account contributions, provided they match or exceed the employee’s contribution.
On Wednesday, the main PSE index increased by 0.53% or 33.65 points to 6,381.32, while the broader all shares index rose by 0.47% or 17.69 points to 3,776.19.
There was a suspension of trading at the Philippine stock market on Thursday in celebration of Independence Day. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
