The benchmark VN-Index ended in negative territory  as many large-cap stocks continued to slump. -- Photo money.cnn.com

The benchmark VN-Index ended Thursday morning’s trade in negative territory despite a positive opening as many large-cap stocks continued to slump.

Eight of the top 10 largest shares by market value on the HCM Stock Exchange declined and only one advanced.

Bank stocks continued to see a downward correction, with six of the nine listed lenders on the two exchanges losing value. Only small lender Nam Viet Bank (NVB) on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange rebounded and two banks – Vietinbank (CTG) and Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) – closed unchanged.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index inched up 0.1 per cent to 98.73 points.

Overall market condition was positive with 212 stocks rising, 200 falling and 294 remaining flat on the two bourses.

Some blue chips sustained growth and supported the market, including Petrolimex (PLX), FPT Corp (FPT), Mobile World Group (MWG), Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and Hoa Sen Group (HSG).

A total of 164 million shares worth a combined VND3 trillion (US$133 million) were traded on the two markets.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. – VNS