Shares on the HCM Stock Exchange continued to rise this morning with the VN-Index moving up 0.5 per cent to 656.8 points. The gauge was up 0.3 per cent on Wednesday.

Large-cap stocks were on the positive side. Sixteen of the top 30 largest shares by market capitalisation and liquidity gained value and 11 declined.

Largest listed stock Vinamilk (VNM) rose nearly two per cent to VND135,000 (US$5.95) per share this morning following a two-day drop.

Other gainers included banks and financial firms, such as Vietcombank (VCB), Sacombank (STB), Vietinbank (CTG) and Masan Group (MSN), as well as steelmakers Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and Hoa Sen Group (HSG).

Newly-listed brewery giant Sabeco (SAB) hit the ceiling price of a seven per cent rise for the third day to VND151,000 per share. SAB price has increased 37 per cent since its debut on Tuesday.

On the negative side, oil and gas stocks slumped after global oil slipped on Wednesday.

The largest oil listings -- PV Gas (GAS), PetroVietnam Technical Services (PVS) and Southern Gas (PGS) -- were being traded below the reference price.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index added another 0.1 per cent to end at 79.5 points.

A total of 94.3 million shares worth nearly VND1.4 trillion ($61.7 million) were traded on the two markets.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. — VNS