HÀ NỘI — The market was mixed on Thursday, with the benchmark VN-Index edging higher on the back of large-cap stocks, particularly Vingroup-linked shares and banks.

The market experienced another subdued session today, with the VN-Index fluctuating around the reference level for much of the day. It was the fourth consecutive session in which the benchmark alternated between gains and losses within a relatively narrow range.

The VN-Index, representing the Hochiminh Stock Exchange (HoSE), closed 7.55 points higher at 1,734.24 points, while on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index declined 1.43 points to 278.55 points.

Despite the benchmark's gain, trading activity weakened further. Total turnover across the market reached only about VNĐ14.4 trillion (US$546 million), down 9 per cent from the previous session.

Subdued liquidity reflected continued caution among investors, with capital yet to return decisively after the sharp swings recorded in the previous week.

On the two main bourses, market breadth was moderately positive, with 235 stocks advancing, including 10 hitting their ceiling prices, against 193 decliners, of which seven fell to their floor prices. 

Large-cap shares provided the main support for the market. The VN30 basket recorded 23 gainers, two unchanged stocks and only five decliners, helping the VN30-Index rise by more than 11 points to around 1,887 points.

Vingroup-related shares remained among the key contributors. Vingroup (VIC) gained 1 per cent, while property developer Vinhomes (VHM) advanced 0.6 per cent.

Banking stocks also improved, with Vietcombank (VCB) rising 0.7 per cent, VietinBank (CTG) gaining 1.3 per cent, and Military Bank (MBB) climbing 1.8 per cent.

Several other large-cap stocks closed higher. Masan Group (MSN) gained 2.6 per cent, Vinamilk (VNM) rose 1.4 per cent, Masan Consumer (MCH) advanced 1 per cent, and technology giant FPT Corporation (FPT) added 1.3 per cent. PetroVietnam Refining and Petrochemical (BSR) also increased 1.1 per cent.

On the downside, Dien May Xanh Investment (DMX) fell 2.2 per cent and was among the biggest drags on the index. LPBank (LPB) lost 1.4 per cent, while LPBank Securities (LPS) declined 3.1 per cent.

Foreign trading continued to weigh on the market's sentiment. Overseas investors recorded net sales of more than VNĐ616.9 billion on the HoSE, extending their recent net-selling trend. — BIZHUB/VNS