Shares rose steadily on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange on Monday morning, propped up by growth of blue chips.

The VN-Index edged up 0.4 per cent to 967.28 points with nearly 145 million shares worth VND2.9 trillion (US$125 million) being traded.

The market breadth was positive with 181 shares rising, 120 declining and 124 remaining unchanged.

Blue chips continued to lead the way with 16 of the top 30 largest shares by market value and liquidity gained value, 7 of which rose by more than 1 per cent. Steelmaker Hoa Phat Group (HPG) was the biggest gainer with a 2 per cent growth.

Vinamilk’s shares (VNM) increased 1 per cent following the information that the company Viet Nam’s biggest dairy company is planning to raise its stake in GTNFood (GTN) to 75 per cent. By December 6, Vinamilk owns nearly 108 million shares, equivalent to 43.17 per cent stake, which means it will have to buy additional 79.5 million shares.

GTN this morning also climbed 1.9 per cent. Value of this company’s shares has doubled this year.

On the dark side, Masan Group (MSN) and Military Bank (MBB) weighed the market with decrease of more than 1 per cent each.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was down 0.2 per cent at 102.32 points. Nearly 12 million shares worth VND130 billion were exchanged on the northern bourse.

The afternoon trade starts at 1pm. – VNS