Shares deline on blue chips on both HCM and Ha Noi stock exchanges. — Photo baomoi.com

HA NOI (Biz Hub) – Shares fell for the first time in the past four sessions this morning under heavy profit-taking and selling pressure.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index lost 0.8 per cent to close at 669.5 points.

Blue chips led the downturn with 20 of the 30 largest stocks tumbling and only three maintaining slight gains.

The largest gainers included private equity Masan Group (MSN), dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM), agribusiness Hoang Anh Gia Lai Co (HAG), steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and Mobile World Group (MWG).

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was down 0.2 per cent after rising in the two precious sessions, ending at 84.2 points.

A total of over 68 million shares worth VND1.6 trillion (US$72 million) were traded in the two markets.

Shares of two real estate companies were most active on the two exchanges. Hoang Quan Consulting Trading Service Real Estate Co (HQC) led trade in HCM City's market with nearly two million shares changing hands, while Sai Gon Thuong Tin Real Estate Co (SCR) was most active in the Ha Noi market with 2.6 million shares being traded. Both share declined 1-2 per cent in value.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. – VNS