Market Overview

The index saw a slight increase, closing 2.83 points higher after a previous drop of 11.33 points. Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange decreased by 24% to VND13.53 trillion (US$532 million).

The VN-30 basket, comprising the 30 largest capped stocks, saw 14 tickers gain, with BCM of Becamex Investment and Industrial Development leading at a 1.8% rise. Other notable gains include VNM of dairy giant Vinamilk, up 1.7%, and MWG of electronics retail chain Mobile World, up 1.3%.

On the other hand, twelve blue chips closed in the red, with BVH of insurance company Bao Viet Holdings recording the biggest loss at 2.3%. POW of electricity producer Petrovietnam Power Corporation dropped 1.6%, and PLX of fuel distributor Petrolimex fell 1%.

Foreign investors were net buyers to the tune of VND30 billion, mainly purchasing VNM of dairy giant Vinamilk and VIX of VIX Securities Jsc.

Regional Market Impact

The HNX-Index for stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange fell 0.21%, while the UPCoM-Index for the Unlisted Public Companies Market went up 0.72%. Asian shares hit a fresh three-month low as investors awaited key U.S. inflation data, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.6% on Friday to a fresh three-month low and was headed for a weekly drop of 3%. Japan's Nikkei was flat but down 1.7% for the week, despite being up 16% for the year due to the weakness in the yen.