Shares declined on HCM Stock Exchange on Friday morning, dragged down by blue chips despite rising demand on the southern bourse. — VNA/VNS Photo

Shares declined on HCM Stock Exchange on Friday morning, dragged down by blue chips despite rising demand on the southern bourse.

The benchmark VN Index on HCM Stock Exchange slid 0.18 per cent to close at 1,113.81 points. It had dropped 0.51 per cent to close at 1,115.79 points on Thursday.

The HNX Index on Ha Noi Stock Exchange inched 0.02 per cent to end at 127.13 points. The index was down 0.74 per cent to end at 127.10 points on Thursday.

More than 145.77 million shares, worth VNĐ4.3 trillion (US$187.4 million), were traded on the two exchanges in the morning trade.

The UPCOM Index on the Unlisted Public Company Market increased by 0.86 per cent to stand at 60.07 points. It had edged down 0.45 per cent to finish at 59.82 points on Thursday.

The market was dominated by declining stocks, which outstripped gainers by 229 to 176.

Blue chips underperformed, as 18 of the 30 largest ones by market capitalisation and liquidity in the VN30 Index increased.

The VN30 Index was up 0.28 per cent to end at 1,102.75 points.

Bank stocks were on the defensive side as they were hit by profit-taking. The highest losers that had a positive impact on the indices included JSC Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade, Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank.

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm. — VNS