On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index gained 0.15 per cent to temporarily close at 621.5 points. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Blue chips were the main reason that prevented both indices from sliding further this morning.

The market liquidity was lower than yesterday morning, with more than 63 million shares being traded, worth VND1.07 trillion (US$49.8 million)

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index gained 0.15 per cent to temporarily close at 621.5 points.

The VN30 Index, which tracks the 30 largest shares in terms of capitalisation and liquidity, gained 0.13 per cent to reach 645 points.

Bank shares became the support for the market, with Vietcombank (VCB), Vietinbank (CTG) and Eximbank (EIB) gaining 0.81, 0.9 and 0.7 per cent, respectively.

CTG was also the most active code, with 2.3 million of its shares being traded.

Gas shares stopped sliding as the negative information about the sector's leader no longer affected them. Petrovietnam Drilling and Well Service Corporation (PVD) added 1.14 per cent.

Other blue chips also made gains, such as Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (VNM), Vingroup Corporation (VIC) and Hoa Phat Group (HPG). HPG also recorded a significant increase in its second quarter's business results.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index lost 0.05 per cent to finish at 85.88 points.

Like the southern bourse, gas shares on the northern market stopped sliding and helped the market avoid further losses.

Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) and FIT Investment JSC (FIT) were the two leading shares in the north.

SHB was also among the three most active codes, along with Kim Vi Inox Import Export Production Joint Stock Company (KVC) and Soc Son Development Investment Join Stock Company (DPS), with more than one million of its shares being traded.

The afternoon session will start at 1pm. — VNS