Dairy producer Vinamilk led the markets up this morning after the company announced a 60 per cent dividend for shareholders. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Vietnamese shares made gains on both local markets this morning as dairy firm Vinamilk helped boost the food and beverage industry.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange rose 0.3 per cent to close at 608.43 points.

Dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM) advanced 2.1 per cent after the company announced it will pay a 60 per cent dividend to shareholders following its good performance last year.

Thermal power producers also took lifted the markets. Pha Lai Thermal Power JSC (PPC) increased by 1 per cent and PetroVietnam Power Nhon Trach 2 JSC (NT2) advanced 2.8 per cent.

Other stocks that saw gains included PetroVietnam Gas Corp (GAS), Vietinbank (CTG) and HCM City Securities Corp (HCM). All three companies rose between 0.6 per cent and 1.1 per cent.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange moved up 0.4 per cent to end at 80.71 points.

An Phat Plastic and Green Environment JSC (AAA), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) and Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities Corp (SHS) lifted the northern market.

The stocks of these companies were up between 1 per cent and 1.6 per cent.

Both local exchanges traded more than 114.5 million shares worth VND2.57 trillion (US$114.5 million). — VNS