MANILA - The Philippine peso hit a 9-month low at 49.01 per US dollar on Wednesday but its loss was contained by suspected central bank intervention and the spillover from stronger-than-expected GDP data in Australia.

"Dollar/peso opened strong due to risk aversion, but BSP (the central bank) was well on the offer to support the peso," said a dealer in Manila.

"And with Chinese stocks positive, the market may just shrug off this dollar rally and take it as a chance to sell."

Three-month dollar/peso non-deliverable forward contracts edged up to 49.43, implying a 1.3% peso fall from the spot compared to 1.2% at Tuesday's close.