The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange increased 1.59 per cent to 905.90 points. On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index rose 1.73 per cent to end the morning at 104.04 points. — Photo Zing.vn

Shares closed Thursday morning trade higher on the two national stock exchanges, in line with positive developments on global stock markets.

The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange increased 1.59 per cent to 905.90 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index rose 1.73 per cent to end the morning at 104.04 points.

Liquidity improved slightly compared to Wednesday morning with nearly 95 million shares worth a combined VND1.84 trillion (US$78.8 million) traded on the two markets.

Banks were among the best performers this morning, with 12 of 13 listed banks on the two exchanges gaining value. BIDV (BID) led the gainers with growth of 5.7 per cent, followed by VPBank (VPB), up 3.6 per cent. Others increased between 1.6 per cent and 3.6 per cent.

Apart from banks, oil and gas stocks did well thanks to global oil price increases. Both PetroVietnam Drilling and Wells Service (PVD) and PetroVietnam Technical Services (PVS) climbed 7 per cent while PV Gas (GAS) jumped by 5.3 per cent.

Global oil prices posted the strongest gain in the past two years on Wednesday with US light crude WTI rising 8.7 per cent to $46.22 per barrel and Brent going up 8 per cent to $54.47 per barrel.

Afternoon trading starts at 1pm. – VNS