An investor tracks share prices on a smartphone. — VNS Photo Thai Ha

Vietnamese shares extended growth on Friday morning as large-cap firms, boosted by positive investor confidence, remained strong on expectations of good earnings reports.

The benchmark VN Index on HCM Stock Exchange advanced 1.21 per cent to close at 1,117.96 points. It had gained 1.58 per cent on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the minor HNX Index on Ha Noi Stock Exchange declined 0.22 per cent to close at 126.34 points. The northern market index finished Thursday, up 0.29 per cent.

Nearly 206.8 million shares, worth VND5.85 trillion (US$257.1 million), were traded on the two local exchanges.

The market breadth was negative with declining stocks outnumbering the gaining ones by 254 to 201, while 109 other stocks ended flat.

Money was poured into large-cap stocks of banks and energy sectors.

Leading companies in these sectors made gains, such as Vietcombank, up 1.92 per cent; Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, up 4.88 per cent; JSC Bank for Investment And Development of Việt Nam, up 6.91 per cent; PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation, up 2.38 per cent; PetroVietNam Low Pressure Gas Distribution JSC, up 1.21 per cent; and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation, up 0.64 per cent.

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm. — VNS