The benchmark index rose 0.6 per cent to close at 717.06 points on Thursday. — File Photo

The VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange reversed Wednesday's fall to close higher on Thursday morning, driven by banks and financial firms.

The benchmark index rose 0.6 per cent to close at 717.06 points. It fell 0.5 per cent on Wednesday.

More than 99.2 million shares were exchanged on the southern bourse, worth VND1.9 trillion (US$84.8 million).

The banking-finance sector returned to positive territory after performing badly on Wednesday.

Among the six listed banks on the southern bourse, only MBBank (MBB) was down one per cent, while others such as Vietcombank (VCB) and Sacombank (STB) advanced between 0.3 per cent and 2.3 per cent each.

Financial companies, including Bảo Việt Holdings (BVH), Sài Gòn Securities Inc (SSI) and Agribank Securities Corp (AGR), made good gains to contribute to the southern market’s growth.

Food and beverage producers also made gains, with dairy company Vinamilk (VNM) and private equity firm Masan Group (MSN) both increasing.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAG) and its subsidiary Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Agriculture International (HNG) also gained 2.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.

On the Hà Nội Stock Exchange, the HNX Index dropped 0.3 per cent to close at 89.53 points. The northern market index fell 0.4 per cent on Wednesday.

More than 22.4 million shares were exchanged on the northern bourse, worth VND276.15 billion. – VNS