After a brief decline yesterday, shares on both stock exchanges climbed again on improved trading volume and value.

On the HCM City Stock Exchange, the VN-Index rose 0.52 per cent, closing this morning's session at 416.12 points, with the trading value totalling VND537.4 billion (US$25.6 million), up 39 per cent from yesterday's level.

Advancers outnumbered decliners by 155-44, led by blue chips.

Nineteen of the top 30 shares by market capitalisation and liquidity climbed while only three fell. Losers included Song Da Urban Industrial Zone Investment & Development (SJS), down 0.62 per cent; Vietinbank (CTG), down 0.47 per cent; and Sacombank (STB), down 0.4 per cent.

The VN30 Index was up 0.41 per cent to 490.62 points.

Tan Tao Investment Industry (ITA) was the most active this morning with 1.2 million shares changing hands, increasing 3 per cent to a close of VND6,900.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also gained 1.06 per cent to 70.52 points on a total value of more than VND202 billion ($9.6 million).

The HNX30 Index tracking the top 30 largest shares by market capitalisation and liquidity on the Ha Noi bourse also rose 2.14 per cent to 134.24 points.
Gainers overwhelmed losers by 128-51.

VNDirect Securities (VND), with three million shares exchanged, was still the most active code this morning, climbing 5 per cent to VND10,500 a share.

The afternoon session will resume at 1pm.