The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched up 0.12 per cent to close Friday morning session at 779.22 points. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Viet Nam’s benchmark VN Index continued to rise on Friday morning, driven by a few individual large-cap stocks.

The benchmark index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched up 0.12 per cent to close at 779.22 points. It rallied total 1.5 per cent in the previous three sessions.

More than 133.5 million shares were traded on the southern bourse, worth VND2.09 trillion (US$93 million).

Market trading remained volatile on Friday morning as investors tried to lock in profits in rising stocks, especially after the VN Index moved closer to the level of 780 points.

The VN30 Index, which tracks the performance of the 30 largest companies by market capitalisation, was mixed, with 12 gaining stocks and 14 decliners.

Shares of dairy producer Vinamilk (VNM), Vietinbank (CTG), Sacombank (STB), HAGL Agrico (HNG) and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (HAG) were among those that suffered from investors’ selling.

On the opposite side, gainers included DHG Pharmaceutical JSC (DHG), Sai Gon Securities Inc (SSI), PetroVietnam Gas (GAS), food and beverage producer Masan Group (MSN) and steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG).

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX Index dropped 0.16 per cent to end at 100.60 points, retreating from a three-day increase of 0.4 per cent.

Nearly 37.4 million shares were exchanged on the northern market, worth VND296 billion.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. — VNS