The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched up 0.2 per cent to close at 659.90 points. — VNS Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Vietnamese shares ended mixed in the early session, while stocks continued to run into profit taking as expected.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched up 0.2 per cent to close at 659.90 points.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange fell 0.8 per cent to touch 86.91 points.

Blue chips such as insurance firm Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM) and property developer Vingroup JSC (VIC) ended flat.

The two largest energy firms PetroVietnam Gas Corp (GAS) and PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Service Corp (PVD) dropped 2.7 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively.

Steel producers declined after growing strongly in recent weeks. Hoa Phat Group (HPG) was down 1.4 per cent and Tien Len Steel Group JSC (TLH) slid 2.5 per cent.

Banks and securities companies were the bright spots in the early session.

Sai Gon Securities Inc (SSI) and Vietcombank (VCB) jumped 3.1 per cent and 3.9 per cent, respectively.

Other large-cap financial stocks such as Vietinbank (CTG), the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BID) and HCM City Securities Corp (HCM) also advanced.

Investors exchanged nearly 132.8 million shares, worth VND2.3 trillion (US$103 million). — VNS