Large-cap stocks were on the defensive on Thursday morning, with half of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity (VN30) losing value. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Shares continued to decline on the HCM Stock Exchange with the VN-Index down 0.33 per cent to 803.18 points.

The market breadth was negative, with 140 stocks falling, 105 advancing and 98 remaining unchanged.

Large-cap stocks were on the defensive, with 15 of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity (VN30) losing value, including major companies such as Vinamilk (VNM), VinGroup (VIC), BIDV (BID), Masan Group (MSN) and Saigon Securities Inc (SSI), as well as PV Gas (GAS), Sabeco (SAB), Kido Group (KDC) and Hoa Phat Group (HPG).

Retail and construction shares helped support the market. Top gainers were FLC Faros Construction (ROS), HCM City Infrastructure Investment (CII), Coteccons (CTD), FPT Corp (FPT) and Mobile World Group (MWG).

Meanwhile, on the HCM Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index recovered with a rise of 0.33 per cent to 105.52 points.

Liquidity was still modest, with 132.5 million shares worth a combined VND2.33 trillion (US$103 million) being traded in the two markets.

The afternoon trade session starts at 1pm. — VNS