The VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange slowed down on Wednesday morning as investors increased selling to earn profit after the index touched 720 points.

The benchmark index closed the morning session at 719.07 points, up 0.4 per cent from Tuesday. It had risen 0.8 per cent in the previous two sessions.

Market trading liquidity was high with around 143.77 million shares worth VNĐ2.45 trillion (US$109.2 million) being traded.

Property developers, agricultural companies and food and beverage firms were the major driving factors for the southern market on Wednesday morning.

The real estate sector was pushed up by Vingroup (VIC), FLC Group (FLC) and Phát Đạt Real Estate Development JSC (PDR), which rose 1.8 per cent, 2.3 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Corp (HAG) and its agricultural arm Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Agriculture International (HNG) jumped 5.2 per cent and 4.8 per cent, respectively.

Dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM) and consumer goods producer Masan Group (MSN) performed well, increasing by 1.8 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively.

On the Hà Nội Stock Exchange, the HNX Index inched up 0.1 per cent to end at 90.2 points on profit-taking, after it rallied a total 3.6 per cent over the previous six days. Around 35.2 million shares worth VNĐ382.6 billion were traded on the northern bourse. — VNS