The rise of several key stocks pushed the benchmark VN Index up 0.1 per cent to close at 766.85 points on Friday morning. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

The rise of several key stocks pushed the benchmark VN Index up 0.1 per cent to close at 766.85 points on Friday morning.

Three of the top 10 largest shares by market value on the HCM Stock Exchange advanced, cushioning the market even as banks continued to slump on profit-taking pressure.

Petrolimex (PLX) has risen for four days in a row, up 1.9 per cent at VND70,800 (US$3.12) per share on Friday, gaining nearly 11 per cent in the four-day rally.

The biggest listed brewery Sabeco (SAB) and budget airline Vietjet (VJC) both increased by 0.7 per cent.

On the negative side, all six listed banks slipped between 0.3 per cent and 2.3 per cent.

The big losers also included VinGroup (VIC), Masan Group (MSN), PV Gas (GAS), Saigon Securities Inc (SSI), Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and DHG Pharmaceutical (DHG).

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index continued to slide, down 0.7 per cent at 97.92 points.

A total of 166 million shares worth a combined VND2.74 trillion ($120.8 million) were traded in the two markets.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. — VNS