Shares increased on Wednesday morning, boosted by gains in many large-cap stocks as investor sentiment improved.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index climbed 18.06 points, or 1.53 per cent, to 1,196.39 points.

The market's breadth was positive, while liquidity also grew sharply over the previous session. Accordingly, the matching value on HoSE surged by 47 per cent to more than VNĐ7.7 trillion (nearly US$329 million).

The benchmark index extended rallies on back of large-cap stocks across all sectors. The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 biggest stocks on the southern bourse, jumped 15.42 points, or 1.27 per cent, to 1,227.12 points.

Of the VN30 basket, one stock declined and one remained flat, while 28 inched higher.

Leading the uptrend were banking, manufacturing and energy stocks, of which BIDV (BID) was the biggest gainer, up 2.95 per cent.

It was followed by Vietcombank (VCB), Masan Group (MSN), PV Gas (GAS) and Vietinbank (CTG), up in a range of 1.4-2.82 per cent.

Other stocks supporting the bullish sentiment included Vietnam Rubber Group (GVR), Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG), FPT Corporation (FPT), Becamex (BCM) and Hoa Phat Group (HPG).

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), HNX-Index ended the morning trade at 289.08 points, a gain of 4.65 points, or 1.63 per cent. VNS