HÀ NỘI — The domestic stock market ended lower on Friday as profit-taking dominated following an extended period of rallies.

The benchmark VN-Index fell by 6.56 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 1,658.62 points.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), 133 stocks rose and 189 fell. The predominance of declining stocks did not raise significant concerns, as liquidity remained strong at nearly VNĐ29.2 trillion (US$1.1 billion).

Notably, the VN-Index maintained its position above the critical threshold of 1,650 points, with the VN30 hovering around 1,860 points — both key support levels.

In the VN30 basket, 24 ticker symbols decreased, while four ticked up and two ended unchanged.

The financial and banking sector faced the heaviest net selling pressure, with many large-cap stocks recording declines.

Vietcombank (VCB) dipped 1.4 per cent, VPBank (VPB) fell 1.3 per cent, SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) dropped 1.1 per cent, Sacombank (STB) decreased 3 per cent, VIX Securities (VIX) was down 4.86 per cent, and VNDirect Securities Corporation (VND) fell 2.78 per cent.

Other major players showed negative performance, with PV Gas (GAS) down 0.79 per cent, Masan Group (MSN) down 0.12 per cent, and Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) down 0.13 per cent.

This trend suggests that the blue-chip group has temporarily lost its leading role after the strong rally at the start of the third quarter.

Conversely, the real estate sector stood out, with several stocks gaining. Novaland (NVL) surged 5.63 per cent, Sai Gon Thuong Tin Real Estate JSC (SCR) rose 2 per cent, DIC Group (DIG) increased 1.45 per cent and Phat Dat Real Estate Development (PDR) by 0.21 per cent.

Vingroup (VIC) maintained an upward trend, while Vinhomes (VHM) and Vincom Retail (VRE) fell 1.74 per cent and 2.48 per cent, respectively.

There are signs of capital seeking opportunities in stocks that have experienced prolonged declines.

According to Saigon-Hanoi Securities JSC (SHS), short-term trends for the VN-Index indicate a phase of accumulation around the support level of 1,660 points, corresponding to the 20-day average.

If this support level cannot be maintained amidst increasing selling pressure, the benchmark index may face a psychological test at the 1,600-point mark, the securities firm added. The VN30 is under selling pressure at resistance levels, reflecting the peaks reached in August and early September, and is also entering an accumulation phase.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index declined 0.68 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 276.24 points.

Foreign investors continued to net sell, withdrawing over VNĐ2.8 trillion on HoSE and VNĐ212.5 billion on HNX. — BIZHUB/VNS