Shares bounced back on Friday thanks to the growth of a few leading large-cap stocks, but the market is exposed to risk of a downward correction following a prolonged rally.– Photo thanhnien.vn

HÀ NÔI – Shares bounced back on Friday thanks to the growth of a few leading large-cap stocks, but the market is exposed to risk of a downward correction following a prolonged rally.

The benchmark VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange edged up 0.2 per cent to close at 743.41 points.

On the Hà Nội Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was up 0.23 per cent to end at 93.69 points.

Bank stocks, which had fueled market momentum during the week, were mixed on Friday.

Four out of nine listed lenders advanced while another four declined. Big banks BIDV (BID) and Military Bank (MBB) were losers while Vietcombank (VCB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) and Eximbank (EIB) were gainers.

Shares of Hậu Giang Pharmaceutical (DHG) rose by more than 6 per cent as shareholders of the pharmaceutical firm received bonus shares at a rate of 50 per cent.

Among the top 30 shares by market value and liquidity, growth of Vinamilk (VNM), real estate VinGroup (VIC), steelmaker Hoa Sen Group (HSG) and insurer Bảo Việt Holdings (BVH) supported the market.

A portion of money inflows shifted to mineral mining shares on Friday, lifting prices of these companies.

Construction Investment Corporation 3-2 (C32), Bình Thuận Mineral Industry (KSA) and KSH Invesment & Development (KSH) hit the maximum daily rise of 7 per cent on the HCM Stock Exchange. Others such as Bình Dương Mineral & Construction (KSB) and Hóa An Co (DHA) increased 4.7 per cent and 6.4 per cent, respectively.

On the defensive side, energy and oil stocks slumped with big names including PV Gas (GAS), PetroVietnam Drilling and Wells Service (PVD), Kinh Bắc City Development (KBC), Tân Tạo Investment Industry (ITA) and Đất Xanh Real Estate Service & Construction (DXG).

Liquidity declined with a total of 250 million shares, worth over VNĐ5 trillion (US$220.3 million), traded on the two markets, down 9 per cent in volume and 14.3 per cent in value compared to Thursday’s figures.

Declining liquidity (the lowest for the week) along with neutral market breadth indicated rising investor caution, analysts at BIDV Securities Co wrote in a note.

“On the market capitalisation figures, cash flows were channeled into small- and medium-cap shares, showing that the market is in the value accumulation stage to break the resistance threshold of 745 points,” they said.

Foreign investors returned as net buyers on the two markets, picking up shares worth a combined net value of VNĐ189 billion. – VNS