Both bourses traded nearly 105 million shares in all, worth VND1.85 trillion (US$85.87 million). — Photo doanhnhansaigon

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange declined this morning on weaker market liquidity and poor performance by leading stocks.

Both bourses traded nearly 105 million shares in all, worth VND1.85 trillion (US$85.87 million).

By the end of the morning, the VN-Index lost 0.23 per cent to stand at 629.46 points, with only 81 gainers.

The index would have ended this morning even lower, but insurance shares maintained growth to prevent further fall of the market.

BIDV Insurance Corporation (BIC) and Bao Minh Insurance Corporation (BMI) hit their ceiling values, while Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) extended its high growth, adding VND2,000 to end at VND64,000 per share.

Bank shares and gas shares continued to slump. Sacombank (STB) and Petrovietnam Transportation Corporation (PVT) were the only gainers in these two groups.

Other blue chips such as Ma San Group (MSN), Vingroup Corporation (VIC) and FPT Corporation (FPT) also slid, thus having a negative effect on the market.

HCM City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company (CII) traded more than 12 million shares to become the most active code on the market, gaining 0.77 per cent.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index slightly rose by 0.06 per cent to close at 87.71 points during a quiet trading session.

Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) continued to lead the market, with nearly 2.5 million of its shares being traded, gaining 1.1 per cent to stand at VND9,200 per share.

Other large-cap shares on the northern bourse had a positive session in general. FIT Investment JSC (FIT) and KLF Joint Venture Global Investment JSC (KLF) registered growth in their market values.

The afternoon session will start at 1pm. — VNS