MANILA - The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) started the year with losses as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases globally rise anew but the Philippine peso keeps its footing against the greenback. The main stocks index shed 1.14 percent, or 81.36 points, to 7,041.27 points. All Shares slipped by 1.05 percent, or 40.22 points, to 3,777.90 points. Most of the sectoral indexes also finished the day on the red, led by the Property, which fell by 2.90 percent. It was trailed by the Financials, 1.58 percent; Services, 1.42 percent; Industrial, 0.83 percent; and Holding Firms, 0.06 percent. Only the Mining and Oil gained during the day after it rose by 1.19 percent. Volume was thin at 722.25 million shares amounting to PHP4.26 billion. Decliners surpassed advancers at 141 to 66 while 40 shares were unchanged. "Philippine shares started the first trading session in the red amid the recent spike in the daily Covid-19 cases seen across the globe, prompting investors to exit the