The VN-Index went down 0.58 percent to close at 565.04 points on April 20 as large-cap shares continued their fall from April 17.

Of all stocks, the number of declining stocks doubled the number of advancing ones by 154 to 68, and 55 others stayed flat.

The market's trading volume fell by 7.8 percent to reach nearly 99 million shares worth nearly 1.6 trillion VND (74 million USD), a decrease of 20 percent.

The VN30 Index, tracking the 30 largest codes by market value and liquidity, lost 0.55 percent to end at 595.82 points.

They traded 22.2 million shares, worth a remarkable 480 billion VND (22.2 million USD).

In this basket, the number of advancing stocks was one-sixth the number of declining ones by four to 24, while only two remained flat.

Most of large-cap shares also declined. Vingroup (VIC) fell by 0.4 percent to stand at 48,800 VND per share. FLC Group (FLC) dropped by 0.94 percent to close at 10,500 VND per shares.

PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (GAS) continued its slump by losing 1.5 percent. The PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Corporation (PVD) improved its performance against last Friday by gaining 1.87 percent.

Most of bank stocks declined sharply. Sai Gon Thuong Tin Bank (STB), the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), and Miliary Bank (MBB) declined by 1.65 percent, 1.03 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively.

Eximbank (EIB) was the only bank share that gained 0.78 percent to stand at 12,900 VND. During the April 20 session, 25.6 million of its shares were traded through negotiation, worth 341 billion VND (15.8 million USD) – one-fifth of the market's trading value.

Hoang Huy Investment Services Joint Stock Company (HHS) was the top active code on the southern market, trading more than 6.2 million shares at an unchanged price of 20,700 VND.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index was down 0.38 percent to finish at 83.29 points. Among all stocks, losing stocks outnumbered advancing stocks by 106 to 76, and 185 stayed flat.

The market's trading volume was nearly halved to 33.5 million shares against the previous session. The market's trading value declined by 37.6 percent to 454 billion VND (21 million USD).

The HNX30 Index dropped by 0.36 percent to finish at 158.35 points. In this basket, the number of advancing stocks was half the number of losing ones, and six stocks remained unchanged.

Gas stocks had a positive performance. Petroleum Drilling Mud Corporation (PVC) gained 1.28 percent to stand at 23,800 VND and Petroleum Technical Services Corporation (PVS) increased by 0.78 percent to reach 26,000 VND.

FIT Investment JSC (FIT) remained the most active code on the northern market with more than 4.7 million shares being traded. Its price per share gained 0.68 percent to stand at 14,700 VND.

Foreign investors were net buyers, totalling 140.2 billion VND (6.5 million USD) on both markets. They recorded net buys of 130.6 billion VND (6 million USD) on the southern bourse and 9.6 billion VND (444,400 USD) on the Hanoi market.-VNA