VN-Index gains for third consecutive session

Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index maintained its uptrend for the third consecutive session on Thursday, closing at 1,055.32, up 4.89 points from Wednesday or 0.47%.

The index tracks the performance of the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) which saw 228 gainers and 181 losers on the day.

More than 731 million shares changed hands for VND12,335 billion ($524.3 million), down 10.16% from Wednesday.

The main support for the market came from the group of 30 largest-cap stocks as the VN30-Index went up nearly 12 points or 1.13% to more than 1,068.

The green color overwhelmed the banking group, with VPB of VPBank hitting its ceiling price. The stock took the lead in liquidity with more than 66.7 million shares traded for over VND1.2 trillion ($51 million).

MBB of MBBank increased by 4.4%, EIB of Eximbank 2.9%, TCB of Techcombank 2.4%, and VIB of VIB bank by 1.9%.

The securities group also showed its good performance, with many large- and medium-cap tickers gaining, like HCM of HCMC Securities (3,8%), VCI of Viet Capital Securities (2,8%), and VND of VNDirect Securities (1,9%).

The green color also covered other groups like steel, retail, and chemical.

HVN of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines became a highlight as it hit its ceiling price for the sixth consecutive session, with a total rise of over 35% since December 8.

The divergence was seen in real estate tickers as DXG of Dat Xanh Group, DIG of DIG Corp, CEO of CEO Group, and KDH of Khang Dien Holding Corp. increased while PDR of Phat Dat Corp, NVL of Novaland, and HPX of Hai Phat fell.

Foreign investors were net buyers to the tune of VND320 billion ($13.6 million) on the HoSE. They mainly net purchased VND, DXG, HPG of steel giant Hoa Phat, CTG of Vietinbank, and HCM; while net selling GAS of PV GAS, EIB, and HDB of HDBank.

The HNX-Index on the Hanoi bourse went down 0.26 points or 0.12% to 212.95, while the UpCOM-Index on the unlisted public company market rose 0.48 points or 0.67% to 72.59.