The stock market inched higher on Friday morning, but gains were capped by profit-taking activities after the strong recovery in the previous session.

The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) increased by 4.37 points to 1,032.38 points, or a gain of 0.43 per cent.

The market's breadth was positive with more stocks adding points, but liquidity remained low. Of which, matching value on HoSE reached VND4.65 trillion (US$187.3 million), equivalent to a matching volume of 285 million shares.

The VN30-Index also rose 1.59 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 1,030.09 points. Of the VN30 basket, 13 stocks climbed, while 14 stocks settled down and three stocks stayed flat.

Leading the market's rally was still the banking industry, with top three ticker symbols influencing the sentiment being Vietcombank (VCB), BIDV (BID) and Techcombank (TCB). These stocks all advanced at least 2.65 per cent on the morning trade.

However, the rally was capped by some profit-taking activities. Of which Hoa Phat Group (HPG)'s shares lost the most, down 2.87 per cent in market capitalisation.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also extended yesterday's uptrend. It ended the morning session at 214.49 points, up 0.86 points, or 0.4 per cent. VNS