In the early days of July, many listed companies have reported positive earnings for the first half of this year. Most are leading companies in their industries.

At the end of June, some commercial banks have updated their business results with high profit growth and the prospect of exceeding their full-year target.

Vietcombank (VCB), the biggest listed bank by market value, posted pre-tax profit of over VND7.72 trillion (US$335.7 million) in the first half, up 53 per cent against the same period of last year and equivalent to 55 per cent of its yearly target.

The financial indicators which measure the bank’s profitability, such as net interest margin (NIM), return on average asset (ROAA) and return on average equity (ROAE) have also outperformed the general market ratios and increased sharply compared to 2017.

In terms of profit growth, Tien Phong Bank (TPB) led the sector with first-half pre-tax profit of over VND1 trillion, a rise of 121 per cent year-on-year and exceeding its six-month target by 12 per cent.

The second-largest listed lender Vietinbank (CTG) also estimates its six-month pre-tax profit of about VND5.2 trillion, up over 8 per cent against last year.

In the securities sector, Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) was the first firm to report first-half profit, bringing in VND885 billion and registering 20-per-cent growth.

The HCM City-based company continues to lead the brokerage market in both exchanges in HCM City and Ha Noi. Its marketshare reached 20.91 in the first six months, far exceeding second-place Ho Chi Minh Securities Corp with 11.73 per cent.

In the retail sector, Digiworld Corp (DGW) posted first-half earnings of VND42 billion on total revenue of VND2.63 trillion, up 45 per cent in profit and 69 per cent in revenue against the same period of last year.

According to the company, strong growth in sales of mobile phones (up 345 per cent) and office equipment (52 per cent) drove its strong performance.

State-owned glass and construction material producer Viglacera estimates its pre-tax profit hit about VND500 billion, equivalent to last year’s first half number. But its second-quarter profit alone surged 33 per cent to VND353 billion.

The company said it has faced strong competition from other domestic producers and import sources. However, as it is operating in both the construction and real estate sectors, the company still expects the full-year results to increase by 7 per cent against last year.

Many other companies have also updated their shareholders with their estimates of first-half earnings, including Vicostone (VCS), PetroVietnam Technical Services Corp (PVS), Sao Ta Foods (FMC) and Vnsteel-Vicasa (VCA). – VNS