The VN Index closed nearly flat on Friday morning at 715.94 points compared to the previous's ending level of 715.8 points on Thursday. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Viet Nam’s benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange remained volatile on Friday morning, driven by blue chips and energy stocks.

The southern market index ended nearly flat at 715.94 points compared with Thursday’s closing level of 715.8 points. Thursday’s fall was also its first decline following a four-day increase.

Market trading liquidity was low, with more than 111.7 million shares traded, worth VND2 trillion (US$89.7 million).

Blue chips, such as dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM) and HCM City-based brewer Sabeco (SAB), continued to weigh down the market, falling 0.2 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively.

The energy sector, led by PetroVietnam Gas Corp (GAS) and PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corp (PVD), extended losses following the steep fall in crude prices in overnight trading on Thursday.

Financial-banking and property stocks, on the other hand, provided strong support to the market.

Among banks, Eximbank (EIB) and Sacombank (STB) were the strongest gainers, while the property and construction industries were pushed up by Vingroup (VIC) and Faros Construction Corp (ROS).

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index added 0.5 per cent to end at 88.11 points. The northern market index rallied 1.4 per cent in total in the previous three days.

Market trading liquidity on the northern bourse was high, with nearly 29.7 million shares being exchanged, worth VND378.94 billion. — VNS