An investor watches a stock index screen. Shares open on positive note this week. — VNS Photo

Shares opened in positive territory on the two exchanges at the start of the new trading week, as large-cap shares gained ground.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN Index added 0.5 per cent to touch 678.6 points. Last week, the gauge gained 1.8 per cent. On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index rose 0.8 per cent to reach 80.3 points. It inched up just 0.1 per cent last week.

The overall market condition on Monday was positive, with 217 shares rising, 128 declining and 350 staying unchanged. A total of 97.4 million shares worth VND1.5 trillion ($66.8 million) were traded in the two markets.

Blue chips performed well as 22 of the top 30 largest shares by market capitalisation and liquidity on the HCM Stock rose; only five tumbled.

Among losers, brewery giant Sabeco (SAB) declined for the first time since its debut on December 6. Its shares lost 1.4 per cent to VND221,900 (US$9.78) per share. SAB shares had risen rapidly from a debut price of VND110,000 a share to VND225,000 by last Friday. On Monday morning, the shares slipped because of profit-taking selling.

The afternoon trade starts at 1pm. – VNS