Shares rose steadily on the two stock exchanges on Monday morning on rising investor confidence in market outlook.

The VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange was up 0.27 per cent at 808.02 points. The key index gained 0.6 per cent last week.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index increased 0.68 per cent to 105.20 points. The northern market index also expanded 0.54 per cent in the previous week.

Market breadth was positive with 229 stocks on the two exchanges advancing, 167 declining and 320 remaining flat.

Large-cap stocks continued to lead the market upturn.

Eighteen of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity on the southern bourse gained value and only nine slumped.

Gainers were industry leaders such as Vinamilk (VNM), Sabeco (SAB), Vietinbank (CTG) and BIDV (BID), as well as Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Hoa Sen Group (HSG), VinGroup (VIC), Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) and Mobile World Group (MWG).

Liquidity improved with 158 million shares worth VND2.7 trillion (US$119 million) traded on the two markets.

Afternoon trade starts at 1pm. — VNS