Shares are forecast to move sideways this week as investors brace for dreary quarterly earnings reports that could offer more clarity on how badly corporate profits have been damaged by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Stronger profit-taking is expected in the coming days as the benchmark VN-Index is on track to touch 800 points again and that short-term peak will be an opportunity for investors to realise their profits.

A three-day rally does not mean Vietnamese shares have returned to the growth track as risks are still persistent and there is no clue they have faded away, experts have said.

Vietnamese shares made strong gains on Thursday as investors scooped up large-cap stocks that had been previously hit hard.

Vietnamese shares may bounce back next week as investors will seek stocks that suffered sharp falls in previous sessions, analysts said.