Shares continued to slide on the HCM Stock Exchange on Jan. 26 but saw a modest rebound in Hanoi , while the volume and value of trades remained sluggish on both bourses.

The VN-Index fell 0.14 percent to close at 501.25 points, despite advancers outnumbering decliners by 166-66. Volume declined by over 42 percent to just 22 million shares, worth a combined 577.5 billion VND (29.6 million USD).

Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) was the most-active share with a volume of only 860,750 traded.

Stocks with a strong influence on the Index, such as insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), real estate developer Vincom (VIC) and software giant FPT, all declined, with BVH dropping to its floor price for a third consecutive day.

Meanwhile, a number of leading companies that have recently posted strong 2010 earnings, rose oln Jan. 26. Vietinbank (CTG), which posted a net profit of over 3.3 trillion VND (169.2 million USD), rose 4 percent, while real estate developer Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG), which earned over 2.1 trillion VND (108.2 million USD), gained 1.9 percent in value.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index increased by 0.44 per cent to end the session at 105.76 points. Gainers outnumbered losers by 196-85, but the overall value of trades fell by over 31 percent from the previous day's session to just 291.4 billion VND (14.9 million USD), on a volume of 15.8 million shares.

VNDirect Securities Co (VND) became the most heavily traded stock nationwide with over 1.1 million shares changing. VND closed up 2.6 percent.

Foreign investors remained net buyers on both exchanges, but by an overall net of just 35 billion VND (1.8 million USD). /.