Investors in Ha Noi share the same time for ordering at HNX with their counterparts in HCM City since Monday.— Photo Tigiavang

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— The Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) has extended its afternoon trading hours, coming in line with the HCM City Stock Exchange (HOSE) as the two markets closed at the same time today for the first time.

Sessions closed at 3pm at both the southern and northern markets, and the HNX has also expanded operations by offering tree extra MOK (match or kill), MAK(match and kill) and MTL (market to limit) orders to better serve investors.

Securities firms report losses

Of the 81 securities firms that announced their business results for the second quarter, 31 suffered losses, which totalled VND107 billion (US$5.095 million).

The biggest loss belonged to Mekong Housing Bank Securities (MHB), taking a hit that totalled VND26 billion ($1.238 million).

Phu Hung Securities (PHS) saw a loss of VND3.7 billion ($176,190), in what was their 10th straight quarter of losses. The company has been posting losses since 2011, with these losses reaching VND154 billion, or as much as 44 per cent of its total capital.

Meanwhile, 10 companies posted substantial profits. Vndirect Securities posted an after tax profit of VND70 billion($3.33million) while nine other firms also reported large gains.

According to experts, small securities businesses in general were losing out to larger firms, which was seen as a good sign for the restructuring of the securities sector in Viet Nam.

The then Ho Chi Minh City Securities Trading Center (HoSTC) was officially inaugurated on July 20, 2000, and trading commenced on July 28, 2000, nine years earlier than HNX. — VNS