Groundhog day for HoSE

Masan Group (MSN), the largest market-cap on the bourse, hit the floor to end at VND127,000. Vincom Corp. (VIC) dropped 2.88 per cent, while Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) was off 3.36 per cent.

Meanwhile, domestic gold prices remained this morning despite a significant ease of the metal on the global market. The gap between local and global prices hit a record VND2.8 million per tael this morning, weighing on stock investors’ sentiment.

A mass of blue-chips significantly lost in line with pillar stocks’ move, among them Eximbank (EIB), Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD), Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and Vinpearl Tourism and Trading (VPL).

The benchmark VN-Index ended at 440.3 points, down 8.96 points or 1.99 per cent. More than half the market lost with 173 off, 61 up and 66 unchanged.

Liquidity also reduced on the southern bourse with matching volume standing at just 32.5 million shares worth VND505.5 billion ($24.7 million). Put-through volume soared to 10.4 million shares worth VND210 billion ($10.2 million).

Investors suddenly focused on real estate stocks PetroVietnam-Idico Long Son Industrial Park Investment (PXL), Becamex Infrastructure Development (IJC) and Binh Duong Trade and Development (TDC) today. Those stocks all jumped more than 4 per cent, outperforming the market with two million shares matched each.

Ocean Group (OGC) also advanced 2.92 per cent to VND14,100.

The Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) also sharply shed 0.86 points or 1.14 per cent to end at 74.58 points.

Major stocks of the northern bourse, however, saw just modest drops of 1-3 per cent. Some 150 stocks were off and 105 up, while 137 ending flat.

Total volume continued decreasing significantly, standing at 36.8 million shares worth VND417 billion ($20.3 million) today.