The VN-Index closed at 731.3 points on April 11, up 0.2 percent over the previous session’s level and a record high since February 20, 2008.

Investors at the trading platform of ACB Securities Company.

Shares rose on both national exchanges, but a correction is looming as the benchmark index continued to set new peaks. The key index has expanded roughly 10 percent this year.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also inched up 0.2 percent to end at 90.6 points, the highest since December 17, 2014. The northern market index has climbed 14.3 percent compared to the end of 2016.

Money flows moved among steel, construction, real estate and securities stocks, and shifted back to large-cap banks and some blue chips.

Vietcombank (VCB), Vietinbank (CTG), Military Bank (MBB), VinGroup (VIC), Vinamilk (VNM) and Vietjet Air (VJC) advanced, but PV Gas (GAS), insurer Bảo Việt Holdings (BVH), Sacombank (STB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) and brewery Sabeco (SAB) declined and dragged down the market.

Shares of Bao Viet Holdings and Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) were among noticeable losers, while these businesses reported high profits last year.

Profit-taking activities increased in the afternoon trade on the back of rising investor worry over a possible correction.

Liquidity increased over April 10 with over 296 million shares worth a combined 4.6 trillion VND (201.8 million USD) traded in the two markets, up 34.3 percent in volume and 4.5 percent in value compared to the previous session.

“Although we keep positive market outlook, this is an unpredictable period when cash flows are volatile and differential among stock groups,” analysts at Vietnam Investment Securities Joint Stock Company wrote in a report.

The continuous breakthrough of the VN-Index accompanied by slight increases in recent sessions might indicate a near-term correction, they said and reckoned the VN-Index could retreat to 720 points when it touched 735.

Foreign investors extended their net buys in the local stock markets, picking up shares worth a net value of 314.3 billion VND on April 11 on the two exchanges.

According to the latest report by the National Financial Supervisory Commission, foreign investors have been net buyers on the local securities market since the beginning of this year, for a total of 554 million USD in the first three months, including bonds worth 418 million USD and stocks valued at 136 million USD.

Reference exchange rate stays flat

The State Bank of Vietnam retained the reference VND/USD exchange rate at 22,321 VND/USD on April 12.

With the current /- 3 percent VND/USD trading band, the ceiling exchange rate is 22,990 VND per USD and the floor rate is 21,652 VND per USD. 

In the opening hours, commercial banks made minor changes to their rates.

Vietcombank listed the buying rate at 22,630 VND/USD and the selling rate at 22,700 VND/USD, down by 10 VND from the day ago.

BIDV offered its buying and selling rates of 22,625 VND and 22,695 VND, per USD, up 5 VND.

Vietinbank also raised its buying and selling rates by 5 VND to 22,630 VND and 22,700 VND, per USD.

VNA