Poor appetite for shares

Trading value fell to VND118.1 billion ($5.7 million) worth of 18.9 million shares on Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). The figures eased back to 23.9 million shares worth VND320.8 billion ($15.5 million) on Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE).

Total matching value stayed at just VND401.9 billion ($19.3 million) today.

Although speculative cash flows still drove up many stocks, the demand for shares strongly dropped.

Banking shares ended mixed, with Vietcombank (VCB) and Vietinbank (CTG) slightly adding, Military Bank (MBB) significantly falling, Eximbank (EIB) and Sacombank (STB) ending flat on HoSE.

Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) ended flat on HNX after highly rallying in previous sessions. Matching value also reduced to just around 3 million units. Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) also ended flat on HNX.

Numerous real estate tickers fell back, among them Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG), Licogi 16 (LCG), Tu Liem Urban Development (NTL). Kinh Bac City Development Share Holding Corp. (KBC) and Tan Tao Investment Industry Corp. (ITA) stayed unchanged.

Mineral stocks Nari Hamico Minerals (KSS), Tay Bac Minerals Investment (KTB), Duong Hieu Trading and Mining (DHM), Binh Thuan Mineral Industry (KSA) significantly lost.

Advancers still outran decliners 103 to 88 on the southern bourse. Some tickers like Fecon Foundation Engineering and Underground Construction (FCN), Hoa Sen Group (HSG), PetroVietnam General Services Corp. (PET) strongly rallied amidst the lackluster market.

Blue-chip Vinamilk (VNM) suddenly hit the ceiling supporting the market. At the close, the benchmark VN-Index gained 2.49 points or 0.65 per cent to 387.71 points.

Meanwhile, the HNX-Index declined 0.09 points or 0.17 per cent to end at 52.3 points. Real estate tickers Sacomreal (SCR) and Vietnam Construction and Import-Export (VCG) significantly dropped, while securities companies shares Kim Long Securities (KLS) and Saigon-Hanoi Securities slightly advanced. Other top active stocks largely moved sideways.