On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index fell for the third day, losing 0.3 per cent to close at 568.52 points. — VNS Photo Gia Vi

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Shares were in negative territory for most of the trading time this morning on the two exchanges, as investors remained pessimistic about the market outlook.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index fell for the third day, losing 0.3 per cent to close at 568.52 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also edged down 0.3 per cent to end at 78.41 points.

The overall market condition was negative, with only 16 per cent of the stocks gaining, while 31.4 per cent declined.

Blue chips led the market fall, as shown in a decrease of 0.6 per cent of the VN30, which tracks the top 30 shares by market value and liquidity on the HCM Stock Exchange. The VN30 ended the morning at 586.04 points.

Liquidity remained at a very low level, as just 53 million shares worth VND834 billion (US$37.1 million) were traded on the two exchanges, down by about 30 per cent from yesterday's morning level.

Only eight out of 669 stocks saw trading of more than one million shares. HCM City Infrastructure Investment (CII) led the trading with 1.8 million of its shares being exchanged. CII shares dropped 1.3 per cent, however, to stand at VND23,300 ($1.04) each.

The afternoon session will start at 1pm. — VNS