Stocks rose this morning but trading remained sluggish on both national stock exchanges.

On the HCM City Stock Exchange, the VN-Index closed the morning's session up 0.4 per cent at 420.51 points, led by blue chips again.

The VN30 Index tracking the top 30 shares by market capitalisation and liquidity also increased by 0.38 per cent to stand at over 496 points.

Among gainers, insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and Becamex Infrastructure Development (IJC) hit the ceiling prices while property developer Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG) and Phu My Fertiliser (DPM) were up 2-3 per cent.

However, market conditions were neutral overall, with 98 codes rising, 93 declining and 68 closing unchanged.

Shares of Sacombank Securities Co (SBS) were unloaded heavily this morning, following news that the HCM City exchange yesterday decided to put SBS under greater Government control from July 23. With over 7.7 million shares traded, they became the most active on the HCM City bourse this morning, ending down 2.9 per cent at just VND3,300 (US$0.16) a share.
Total trading value reached nearly VND591 billion ($28.4 million) this morning, on a total volume of 42.7 million shares.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also rose 0.38 per cent to finish at 71.3 points, on a total value of VND263.5 billion ($12.7 million).

The HNX30 was also up 1.24 per cent to 136.30 points.

Advancers outnumbered decliners by 93-79.

PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) was the most active on the Ha Noi bourse this morning with 4.2 million shares traded, rising 2.2 per cent to VND9,400 ($0.45).

The afternoon session will resume at 1pm