Financial Adviser: 5 Best Performing Blue-Chip Stocks in the First Six Months of 2025 and How to Profit from Them

As we pass the midpoint of 2025, the Philippine stock market continues to face headwinds. Global uncertainties, ranging from heightened recession fears and escalating Middle East conflicts to the recent wave of US tariffs on key imports, have all contributed to dampening investor sentiment and keeping capital on the sidelines.

These uncertainties are raising concerns about a broader global slowdown and adding pressure to emerging markets like the Philippines.

And yet, amid this bearish backdrop, a few standout performers have bucked the trend. Their strong showing offers a powerful reminder that not all companies are equally vulnerable to economic headwinds. Some are benefiting from defensive business models or investor confidence in long-term growth stories, especially in sectors like utilities and consumer staples.

This divergence in performance highlights how resilient fundamentals, disciplined cost control, and strong strategic positioning can set certain companies apart, even amid broad market uncertainty. Some firms have also made bold moves that reassured investors and helped sustain upward momentum in their share prices.

While many investors focus on lagging stocks for potential turnarounds, it's equally important to pay attention to the market's current winners. These outperformers often lead the early stages of a recovery, and identifying where investor conviction is strongest can offer valuable clues for future gains.

As we explore the complexities of today’s financial markets, understanding what drives the best-performing stocks can help guide more informed and strategic investment decisions.

Here are the top five best performing blue-chip stocks in the Philippine Stock Exchange for first six months of 2025:

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1| LT Group, Inc

Price: P13.20  

Year-to-date gain: +25.71 percent

LT Group (PSE: LTG) is the holding company of business tycoon Lucio Tan, who owns 100 percent of Tanduay, the third-largest distilled spirits producer in the country with 25 percent market share, and 100 percent of Asia Brewery Incorporated.

LTG also owns an indirect stake of 49.6 percent in Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco, the leading tobacco manufacturer with a 67 percent market share; 56.5 percent in Philippine National Bank (PNB); and 100 percent of Eton Properties.

LTG's total revenues—about half of which come from PNB, with the balance from Tanduay and Asia Brewery—have been growing by 7.6 percent annually for the past 10 years, from P55.4 billion in 2013 to P115 billion in 2023. This growth in revenues translated to 11.3 percent annual growth in net income to P25.2 billion from only P8.7 billion in 2013.

Last year, LTG posted solid growth with total revenue rising by 11.8 percent to P128.97 billion from P115.30 billion in 2023. This increase was largely driven by a strong performance in the banking segment, which grew 12.8 percent year-on-year to P75.07 billion. Distilled spirits also recorded a healthy 13 percent increase in sales to P33.77 billion, while the beverage segment posted a modest 4.7 percent gain.

Operating expenses remained flat year-on-year at P39.45 billion which helped lift operating income by 10.4 percent to P35.65 billion from P32.28 billion. As a result, LTG’s net income grew by 13.2 percent to P38.51 billion from P34.02 billion in 2023.

For the first quarter of 2025, LTG posted strong results with revenue rising 9.3 percent year-on-year to P31.16 billion, led by a 22 percent surge in distilled spirits and an 8.2 percent increase in banking income.

While beverage sales dipped slightly, gross income rose 11.6 percent to P16.87 billion as cost increases remained manageable. Stronger foreign exchange gains and a 69 percent increase in other income helped lift income before tax by 21 percent to P11.96 billion. Despite a higher tax provision, net income rose 12.7 percent to P9.95 billion.

LTG’s stock price has been steadily climbing since October 2022 from P7.70 to P13.20 per share today. Despite the rise in the share price, the stock is still priced at extremely low Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 4.8 times. LTG’s P/E is less than half the peer-conglomerates average of around 10 times and far below the broader market. This deep discount suggests the market is pricing in slower growth, but it may also reflect a value opportunity if LTG can sustain earnings.

LTG offers a 9.5 percent yield, well above typical dividend payouts. This can be a major draw for conservative or income-focused investors—though the sustainability depends on future earnings and free cash flow.

LTG’s stock price has bottomed out around P7 after a multi-year correction in 2022. Since then it has formed a higher low and higher high, which is a classic reversal signal

The rally over the past years to P13.20 suggests that the stock is in for a new bullish cycle. The stock is currently testing a key P14 resistance. A clean breakout of P14 with volume should strong confirm the bullish trend and could bring the stock to higher targets at P18 in the short term.

2| Universal Robina Corporation

Price: P97  

Year-to-gain: +22.78 percent

Universal Robina (PSE: URC) is one of the largest branded food product companies in the Philippines, being a dominant player with leading market shares in snacks, candies, chocolates, and biscuits. Some of URC’s popular consumer brands are Jack n’ Jill’s Chippy, Piattos, Magic Flakes, Maxx, C2, Blend 45, Great Taste, Swiss Miss, and Vitasoy.

URC’s branded consumer food products contribute about 71.4 percent of its total sales, while its international operations contributed about 19 percent of total.

Last year, URC’s total revenues increased by 2.6 percent to P161.87 billion from P157.75 billion in 2023. This growth was driven by continued demand across its goods and services segments. However, operating income slightly declined by 4.2 percent to P16.65 billion due to rising selling and distribution costs, which rose 7.9 percent year-on-year.

Despite these headwinds, income before tax remained stable at P15.82 billion. After taxes, net income from continuing operations stood at P12.76 billion—slightly above 2023 levels. However, after accounting for a P405 million loss from discontinued operations, mainly due to the closure of URC’s China operations in June 2024, total net income declined to P12.35 billion, compared to P12.70 billion the previous year.

For the first quarter of 2025, URC’s total revenues increased by 6.7 percent year-on-year, rising to P45.27 billion from P42.43 billion in Q1 2024. However, this top-line growth was offset by a 10.6% increase in cost of sales, resulting in a slight 2.7 percent dip in gross profit to P12.06 billion.

As a result, income before tax slightly declined to P5.32 billion from P5.45 billion. After accounting for tax, net income from continuing operations came in at P4.27 billion, down 2.1 percent from the prior year's P4.36 billion.

URC was among the five worst-performing blue-chip stocks last year, losing 41.9 percent of its value from its peak at the start of 2024. In early 2025, the stock fell another 19.7 percent, hitting a low of P57.80 in February before beginning to recover. Since then, it has rebounded by 67.8 percent from its low.

At its current share price, URC is trading at a 12-month P/E ratio of 13.3 times. This places it at a modest premium relative to many consumer goods peers in Southeast Asia, which typically trade between 10 to 15 times earnings.

However, URC remains valued below its own 10-year historical median of 15.8 times, suggesting that the stock is trading at a discount compared to its past valuations and may present an attractive entry point for long-term investors.

URC’s stock price may have completed a multi-year correction and ins now in a bullish early-stage uptrend, likely forming a new wave cycle. However, the stock needs to break above P100 to P105 levels to confirm its strength.

If it fails to clear the P100 resistance and reverses, the stock could be in for a larger corrective structure with P85-P88 peso levels as key support.

3| Converge ICT Solutions, Inc 

Price: P19.00  

Year-to-date gain: +17.7 percent

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc (PSE: CNVRG) is one of the largest and fastest-growing fixed broadband providers in the Philippines, known for delivering industry-leading, high-speed fiber internet to millions of homes and businesses nationwide.

As the country’s leading pure-play fiber broadband operator, CNVRG has built and now operates the widest end-to-end fiber infrastructure in the Philippines, spanning over 8.1 million fiber ports. Its entire network is powered by 100 percent fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology—making it one of the most advanced and modern broadband networks in the region.

Last year, CNVRG’s total revenues surged by 14.8 percent to P40.61 billion from P35.36 billion in 2023. This sustained revenue expansion reflects the company’s aggressive network rollout and strong demand for high-speed fiber broadband.

As a result, CNVRG posted a strong 14.2 percent increase in profit from operations, reaching P16.21 billion compared to P14.2 billion in 2023. With finance costs remaining elevated at nearly P1.92 billion, pre-tax income rose by 17.9 percent to P14.29 billion. After deducting a higher income tax provision of P3.48 billion, net income for the year came in at P10.81 billion, up 18.9 percent year-over-year.

For the first quarter of 2025, CNVRG’s total revenues rose 13 percent year-on-year to P10.8 billion. Growth was driven by a 12 percent increase in residential revenues and a strong 23 percent jump in enterprise revenues.

Despite a 10 percent rise in cost of services, gross profit grew 15 percent to P7.14 billion. Although operating expenses also increased, with general and administrative costs up 14 percent, profit from operations rose 13 percent to P4.42 billion.

As a result, profit before tax grew 17 percent to P3.99 billion. After a 12 percent increase in taxes, net income reached P3.02 billion, up 18 percent from the same period last year, which demonstrates continued strength in execution and profitability as Converge scales its broadband business.

CNVRG’s stock price has been on a steady uptrend since December 2023, rising from a low of P7.72 per share to as high as P19.00 this year—a gain of 146 percent to date. This sharp rebound follows a prolonged three-year slump, during which the stock lost 82.8 percent of its value from its 2021 peak of P45.50.

At its current share price, CNVRG appears to be attractively priced relative to its earnings potential with a trailing P/E of around 11.6 times, which is below the typical 15 to 20 times range for regional peers.

From an enterprise value perspective, CNVRG is trading at about 6.5 times EV/EBITDA, a level that is modest relative to telecom peers that often trade between 8 to 10 times. This suggests there may be upside potential, especially if the company sustains or accelerates its growth.

Financially, CNVRG maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of about 55 percent, complemented by strong return metrics such as ROE at 10.7 percent and ROI at 14 percent, which point to efficient capital utilization. With a dividend yield of around 2.4 percent and solid free cash flow, the stock also carries defensive appeal.

The current rally of CNVRG’s stock price appears to be Wave 3, which is known for its strong and persistent uptrend. If this is a confirmed wave 3, the stock price could reach a long-term target price of P76.5 per share.

To confirm the upward trend, the stock must first break above the P22 level in the short term and then surpass the major resistance at P28. A sustained move beyond both P28 and P34 would be needed to challenge the longer-term resistance at P48. Only once P48 is decisively broken can the stock be considered on track to reach the target price of P76.50. This could likely take years to fully unfold, potentially peaking around 2028.

4| Puregold Price Club

Price: P36.00  

Year-to-date gain: +16.69 percent

Puregold Price Club, Inc. (PSE: PGOLD) is the largest supermarket operator in the Philippines, boasting a vast retail network of 637 stores and a combined net selling area of over 719,000 square meters.

Since opening its first store in Mandaluyong City in 1998, Puregold has grown into a household name known for accessibility, scale, and value-driven retailing. The company operates under multiple formats, including its flagship Puregold stores, the warehouse-style S&R Membership Shopping, and S&R New York Style Pizza quick-service restaurants.

About 77 percent of the company’s revenues is driven by its Puregold supermarket chain, while the remaining 23 percent comes from its S&R warehouse clubs and restaurant business.

Last year, PGOLD’s net sales rose by 10.1 percent to P219.17 billion from P199.03 billion in 2023, while gross income increased by 11.5 percent to P39.50 billion, reflecting strong cost efficiency amid rising operating expenses. This translated to a 13.9 percent growth in operating income, reaching P15.20 billion from P13.35 billion the previous year. As a result, net income for 2024 climbed to P10.42 billion, up by 21.3 percent from P8.60 billion in 2023.

This year, PGOLD sustained its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2025, with net sales rising by 10.8 percent to P52.42 billion from P47.32 billion in the same period last year. This increase reflects both higher consumer traffic and an expanded store base.

Gross income grew by 10.8 percent, in line with revenue growth, while other revenue improved by 21.3 percent, contributing to a total top-line increase of 11.6 percent to P11.16 billion.

Despite higher interest expense, net income climbed to P2.64 billion, up 6.4 percent from P2.48 billion in Q1 2024. The increase was supported by stronger revenue, disciplined cost control, and slightly lower deferred taxes.

At its current share price, PGOLD is trading at a trailing P/E of 9.76 times, which positions the stock attractively beneath typical valuation multiples seen in retail peers—often in the low to mid-teens range. This suggests the market views PGOLD as reasonably priced given its earnings outlook and consistent performance.

PGOLD’s stock price appears to be completing a multi-year base. A breakout above P38 resistance would start a long-term uptrend that could bring the stock testing major resistance at P47 to P50 levels.

However, if the stock fails to break above the P38 resistance level, it may enter a deeper corrective pullback, potentially falling back to the P23–P25 support range.

5| International Container Terminal Services

Price: P440    

Year-to-date gain: +13.99 percent

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (PSE: ICT) is a leading global operator of common-user container terminals, specializing in the management, development, and acquisition of port infrastructure across emerging and developed markets.

Recognized as one of the Philippines’ most successful multinational companies, ICT has built a strong global presence by focusing on high-potential terminals with annual throughputs ranging from 50,000 to 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

As of March 2025, ICT manages a total of 32 terminal operations in 19 countries, spanning key trade corridors across Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. In the Philippines, it operates 10 terminals, including inland and barge terminals, as well as integrated port facilities in Subic.

Last year, ICT delivered strong topline growth with gross revenues from port operations rising 14.7 percent to $2.74 billion from $2.39 billion in 2023. This increase was supported by higher throughput volumes, expanded operations, and improved pricing.

On the expense side, total operating costs decreased by 4.1 percent to $1.66 billion from $1.73 billion despite volume growth, highlighting improved cost discipline. While manpower, depreciation, and financing charges increased, ICT significantly reduced impairment losses (from $165.3 million in 2023 to zero in 2024) and foreign exchange losses. These improvements lifted net income by 61 percent to $935.78 million, up from $581.13 million in the prior year.

In the first quarter of 2025, ICTSI continued its strong performance, with gross revenues from port operations rising by 16.9 percent—from $637.65 million in Q1 2024 to $745.42 million.

This year, for the first quarter of 2025, ICT continued its strong performance, with gross revenues from port operations rising by 16.9 percent—from $637.65 million in Q1 2024 to $745.42 million in Q1 2025. The increase reflects higher volume throughput, stronger pricing, and expanded contributions from newly ramped-up terminals.

As a result, ICT’s net income grew by 13.6 percent to $261.04 million from $229.78 million in Q1 2024, even after a 48 percent increase in tax expense.

ICT was one of the top five best-performing blue-chip stocks last year, with its value rising by 56.9 percent. This year, after a correction of 11.9 percent that brought its share price down to P340, the stock has rebounded strongly—surging 33.2 percent to reach a high of P453 today.

At its current share price, ICT trades at a trailing P/E ratio of approximately 18.4 times, which is slightly above the infrastructure and logistics sector average of 13–14×. This indicates that investors are willing to pay a premium for ICT’s earnings, likely due to its track record of steady profit growth and its presence in 19 countries across 32 terminal operations.

ICT’s Enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio of around 11 times is  slightly higher than the global peer average of 8–10× which shows that the stock priced for continued EBITDA growth and margin expansion.

ICTSI’s solid 3.2 percent dividend yield and returns on equity (ROE) and investment (ROI) of 13 percent and 16 percent, respectively, add to its appeal for both growth and income-focused investors.

However, ICT’s relatively high debt levels due to the capital-intensive nature of global port infrastructure pose potential risks in a high-interest-rate environment.

ICT is currently in a strong Wave 5 extension, suggesting continued bullish momentum. If the uptrend persists, the stock could reach peak targets between P500 and P520. As long as the price stays above P350, the bullish structure remains intact. Short-term pullbacks above P400 may present buy-the-dip opportunities for momentum traders. However, if the stock breaks below P350, it would signal the end of the uptrend and the beginning of a larger corrective phase.

Henry Ong, RFP, is an entrepreneur, financial planning advocate and business advisor. Email Henry for business advice hong@financialadviser.ph or follow him on Twitter @henryong888