The benchmark VN-Index edged up 0.3 per cent to close Monday morning at 773.9 points as investors continued to show confidence in the market outlook. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Shares advanced on the two national stock exchanges on Monday morning as investors continued to show confidence in the market outlook.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index edged up 0.3 per cent to 773.9 points.

Large-cap stocks maintained market momentum as 17 of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity on the southern bourse gained value and only 10 tumbled.

Gainers expanded to various sectors, including finance, steel manufacturing, energy and real estate, such as Vietcombank, lender BIDV, Bao Viet Holdings and PV Gas, as well as VinGroup, Hoa Phat Group, Masan Group, Kido Group and Kinh Bac City Development.

Real estate developer FLC Group was among the most significant gainers with a rise of 6.2 per cent to VND9,100 per share in morning trade. FLC chairman Trinh Van Quyen has registered to purchase 11 million FLC shares from September 15 to October 15 this year.

On the defensive side, food-beverage firms such as Vinamilk and Sabeco slumped, along with DHG Pharmaceutical and PetroVietnam Fertiliser and Petrochemicals, which weighed on the market's rise.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was up 0.6 per cent to 103.2 points.

A total of 183 million shares worth VND2.8 trillion (US$123.3 million) were traded on the two markets.

Afternoon trade starts at 1pm. — VNS