Shares advanced on the two national stock exchanges on Wednesday morning but large caps were mixed, signaling a market divergence. — VNA/VNS Photo

Shares advanced on the two national stock exchanges on Wednesday morning but large caps were mixed, signaling a market divergence.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index was up 0.2 per cent at 1,020.85 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index edged up 0.31 per cent at 115.36 points.

Overall market condition was rather neutral with 206 stocks rising, 200 falling and 339 closing unchanged.

Large-cap stocks remained the market momentum but there was divergence among each industry.

Regarding the banking group, Vietinbank (CTG), BIDV (BID), Techcombank (TCB) and Military Bank (MBB) advanced but Vietcombank (VCB) and Sacombank (STB) lost.

In oil and gas stocks, PV Gas (GAS) gained but Petrolimex (PLX) slumped.

In the food-beverage industry, Vinamilk (VNM) slipped but brewer Sabeco (SAB) increased while Thanh Thanh Cong Tay Ninh JSC (SBT) remained unchanged.

A total of 112 million shares worth a combined VND2.33 trillion (US$100 million) were traded on the two markets.

On the sub-market Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) where many equitised State-owned enterprises are trading, the UP-Index rose 0.34 per cent to 54.4 points. Liquidity here was still low with just 11 million shares worth VND195 billion being traded.

The afternoon trade starts at 1pm. — VNS