Banks and securities firms boosted the market in the Monday morning trade. — Photo vietq.vn

Shares advanced slightly on the two national stock exchanges, led by financial stocks.

The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange was up 0.31 per cent at 971.48 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index increased over 1 per cent to 109.5 points.

Overall market condition was mostly neutral, however, with 200 stocks rising, 182 declining and 365 closing flat.

Banks and securities firms boosted the market.

Vietinbank (CTG) was the biggest gainer, up over 5 per cent.

Other big banks such as Vietcombank (VCB), BIDV (BID) and Military Bank (MBB) increased between 1.8-3.6 per cent.

Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) and HCM Securities (HCM), the two biggest brokerage firms, also leapt over 1 per cent each.

Other big gainers included steel companies, with Hoa Sen Group (SHG) hitting nearly 7 per cent and Hoa Phat Group (HPG) up 2 per cent; energy firms including PV Gas (GAS) and Petrolimex (PLX) were up 1.4 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively.

Over 153 million shares worth VND3.1 trillion (US$133 million) were traded on the two markets.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. – VNS