Banking shares again fueled the momentum, with 12 of 13 listed banks gaining value and one closing flat. — Photo dautucophieu.net

Shares rose on the two national stock exchanges on Friday morning thanks to high liquidity.

The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange increased 0.86 per cent to end the morning trade at 954 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index edged up 0.9 per cent to close at 108.14 points.

The overall market condition was positive with 222 stocks rising, 178 declining and 374 remaining unchanged.

A total of 178.2 million shares worth a combined VND3.5 trillion (US$150.2 million) were traded in the two markets.

Banking shares again fueled the momentum, with 12 of 13 listed banks gaining value and one closing flat.

The Big Three (the three biggest banks by total assets) – Vietcombank, Vietinbank and BIDV – each rose by over one per cent. Mid-sized banks such as VPBank, Eximbank and Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank leapt over two per cent.

Many other heavyweight shares such as Vingroup, PV Gas, Masan Group and Vinhomes also jumped and supported the market.

On the sub-exchange Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM), where many equitised State-owned enterprises trade, the UP-Index increased by one per cent to end at 52.56 points. Trading value reached VND212 billion.

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm. – VNS