Shares on the HCM City Stock Exchange, retreated by 0.18 per cent to 426.20 points following erratic movements during this morning's session.

Losers overwhelmed gainers by 114-59.

Most blue chips tumbled. However, insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Eximbank (EIB), logistics firm Gemadept (GMD) and food processor Masan (MSN), in the 30 leading shares tracked by the VN30, posted gains, adding 0.5-1 per cent.

The VN30 still lost 0.2 per cent overall, reaching 507.44 points.

Market value on the southern bourse totaled VND466.25 billion (US$22.2 million), as over 23.6 million shares were traded.

Meanwhile, on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fetched 70.41 points, a 0.54 per cent fall.

The HNX30, representing the exchange's top shares, also shed 0.5 per cent to 135.25 points.
About 29.5 million shares changed hands, bringing the value of trades to VND235.3 billion ($11.2 million).

Profit-taking weighed on Habubank (HBB), making it the most heavily traded stock with 9.4 million shares changing hands.

Trading will resume at 1 pm.