The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange lost 0.2 per cent to close at 609.64 points, and the HNX Index inched down 0.3 per cent to stand at 81.21 points. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Vietnamese shares extended losses this morning on both local exchanges, as blue chips fell on strong selling activity.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange lost 0.2 per cent to close at 609.64 points, and the HNX Index inched down 0.3 per cent to stand at 81.21 points.

Local energy stocks continued to be affected by the declining global oil prices. The American benchmark crude West Texas Intermediate (WTI) inched down 0.7 per cent overnight to trade at US$43.99 a barrel.

Therefore, Vietnamese energy stocks such as PetroVietnam Gas Corporation (GAS), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation (PVD) and PetroVietnam Southern Gas JSC (PGS), fell from their Monday values.

GAS dropped 1.1 per cent, PVD edged down 0.6 per cent and PGS fell by one per cent.

Seven of the nine listed banks slightly fell from Monday's levels. Vietcombank (VCB) inched down 0.4 per cent, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) fell 0.8 per cent and Vietinbank (CTG) dropped one per cent.

Other large stocks in the financial sector also fell, such as HCM Securities Corporation (HCM), VNDirect Securities Corporation (VND) and FIT Investment JSC (FIT). These stocks dropped 0.3 per cent, 0.7 per cent and one per cent, respectively.

FLC Group (FLC) remained the most active stock, with more than 17.8 million of its shares being traded. The two local exchanges traded more than 93.4 million shares, worth VND1.4 trillion ($62.9 million). — VNS