A number of blue chips declined on Thursday morning, restraining the growth of the VN-Index which inched up just 0.02 per cent to 1,014.53 points by midday.

Nineteen of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity slumped and only seven increased.

Their decrease was modest, however, with just five falling by more than 1 per cent, of which Refrigerator Electrical Engineering (REE) was the biggest loser, down 2.8 per cent.

On the other end of spectrum, PV Power (POW) increased 5.1 per cent, Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) and steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG) grew by more than 2 per cent, cushioning the market decline.

The market breadth was positive, with 209 stocks rising, 196 falling and 115 closing unchanged.

Liquidity was still good with nearly 295 million shares worth VND5.6 trillion (US$241.4 million) being traded on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index edged up 0.09 per cent to 150.93 points.

Nearly 32 million shares worth VND474 billion were exchanged.

The afternoon trade starts at 1pm. — VNS