Shares extended gains on both local markets on Thursday, driven by strong investment in large-cap listed companies.

The benchmark VN Index rose 0.64 per cent to close at 888.21 points. It rallied nearly six per cent in the previous nine sessions.

The HNX Index climbed 0.45 per cent to end at 107.97 points and expanded its growth from a six-day increase of total 2.5 per cent.

Nearly 137 million shares were traded on both local exchanges, worth VND3.72 trillion (US$165.4 million).

Gaining stocks outnumbered losing stocks by 225 to 179.

Investors continued to flock to large-cap stocks. Trading volume and value of the large-caps were equal to two-fifths and two-thirds of the market’s total figures.

The VN30 Index that tracks the movement of the 30 largest stocks by market capitalisation added 0.78 per cent to reach 884.42 points.

Among the top gainers were Sacombank (STB), Vietcombank (VCB), DHG Pharmaceutical (DHG), food producer Kido Group (KDC) and PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD).

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm. - VNS