Local markets continued to end up mixed this morning with the benchmark VN Index falling further from Thursday session. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Vietnamese shares continued to post mixed results as insurance companies pulled the southern bourse down further.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange fell 0.5 per cent to close at 609.29 points.

The insurance sector saw a further drop from Thursday's fall led by Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Bao Minh Insurance Corp (BMI) and Petrolimex Insurance Corp (PGI).

PGI dipped 3.9 per cent, BVH slid 2.5 per cent and BMI was down 1.6 per cent.

The two agriculture firms -- Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAG) and HAGL Agricultural JSC (HNG) -- declined by 2.7 per cent each.

The consumer goods industry also suffered losses this morning led by dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM), food producer Masan Group (MSN) and Thanh Thanh Cong Tay Ninh JSC (SBT).

VNM edged down 0.7 per cent, MSN slipped 2.1 per cent and SBT slumped 4 per cent.

Other blue chips on the southern bourse such as Vietcombank (VCB), Vietinbank (CTG) and Sai Gon Securities Inc (SSI) also declined.

Meanwhile, the HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange rose 0.4 per cent to end at 81.33 points.

Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB), PetroVietnam Coating Corp (PVB) and PetroVietnam Technical Service Corp (PVC) helped boost the northern market.

Local markets saw more than 87.5 million shares worth VND1.44 trillion (US$64.25 million) being traded. — VNS