Hoa Phat Group was also the most heavily-traded stock on Thursday morning, with over 4.8 million shares changing hands. — Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

The benchmark VN-Index opened on a positive note but gradually declined towards the end of Thursday’s morning trade as more large-cap stocks slumped.

The VN-Index inched down 0.1 per cent to 666.6 points, with 126 stocks declining, 84 advancing and 111 remaining flat.

Blue chips, which lifted the market on Wednesday, fell this morning, including Vinamilk (VNM), insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), lender BIDV (BID), Vietcombank (VCB) and Vietinbank (CTG).

Some stocks, however, bucked the trend and cushioned the market, such as steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG), private equity Masan Group (MSN) and PV Gas (GAS).

Hoa Phat Group was also the most heavily-traded stock this morning, with over 4.8 million shares changing hands. The stock's price climbed 1.9 per cent to VND42,700 (US$1.88) per share.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index decreased 0.5 per cent to 79.9 points.

A total of 74.2 million shares worth VND1.35 trillion ($59.5 million) were traded on the two markets.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. — VNS