Northern market has a good trading session. — Photo baomoi.com

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Vietnamese shares ended mixed in the early session, even as energy stocks continued to lift investor confidence.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched down 0.1 per cent to close at 622.70 points, facing the possibility it will finish in negative territory at the end of the day after a five-day rally.

The southern market lacked support from blue chips as most of these stocks remained flat, including Vietcombank (VCB), Vietinbank (CTG), Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) and property developer and retailer Vingroup JSC (VIC), as well as insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH).

Sacombank (STB) and Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAG) fell 1.8 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively, contributing to the southern market's decline.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, however, edged up 0.4 per cent to end at 82.78 points and is likely to extend its rally for a sixth day.

Energy stocks on the northern market had a good trading session. PetroVietnam Mud Drilling Corp (PVC) and PetroVietnam Technical Service Corp (PVS) increased by 2.8 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively.

Other large-cap stocks, such as Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) and Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB), also improved.

Both local markets traded nearly 103 million shares worth VND1.4 trillion (US$62.8 million). — VNS