Shares were traded higher on both the national stock exchanges on Tuesday morning, boosted by the growth of the finance sector after a steep decline on Monday.

The benchmark VN Index on HCM Stock Exchange edged 1.21 per cent at 1,106.67 points. The southern market index tumbled 2.5 per cent yesterday.

On Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index was up 0.81 per cent to 126.53 points after losing 2.14 per cent on Monday.

The overall market condition, however, was negative as the losing stocks outnumbered the gaining ones by 207-186, while 345 others remained unchanged.

Bank stocks regained momentum as the shares of big lenders such as Vietcombank, BIDV, Vietinbank, VPBank and Military Bank increased between 1.6-3.7 per cent each.

Securities firms were also among the biggest gainers. VNDirect Securities climbed 6.9 per cent, while Saigon Securities Inc. leapt 5.9 per cent. HCM Securities and Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities gained by a modest two to three per cent.

However, some large caps remained downtrend and restrained market growth. Influential decliners included Vinamilk, brewer Sabeco, insurer Bao Viet Holdings and Mobile World Group.

A total of 229.4 million shares, worth VND4.8 trillion (US$210.5 million), were traded in the two markets in the morning trade.

On the minor Unlisted Public Company Market under Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the UP Index increased 0.23 per cent to 60.58 points, with nearly 16 million shares worth VND349.5 billion being traded.

The afternoon trade starts at 1pm. – VNS