The Philippine Stock Exchange ( PSE) index closed slightly higher on Thursday despite low first quarter growth.

The peso closed at P50.56 against the US dollar from P50.46 on Wednesday. Volume at the foreign exchange portal of the Bankers Association of the Philippines reached $558.39 million from $539.19 million.

The PSE index ended at 5,653.16 points, up 13.89. In the broader market, there were 112 losers, 63 gainers and 42 unchanged.

Volume reached 477.90 million shares worth P4.86 billion from Wednesday’s 561.47 million shares valued at P6.05 billion.

Most active shares were led by PLDT, down P48 to P1,227; SM Prime, up 90 centavos to P30.90;  and Ayala Corp, up P23 to P 662. DMS