Shares rallied yesterday on both of the nation's stock exchanges on July 26, although trading remained sluggish.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index added 0.6 per cent over the previous day's close to end the session at 70.09 points. The value of trades was essentially unchanged from July 25, standing at VND360.6 billion (US$17.1 million) on a volume of some 39.6 million shares.

Of nearly 400 listed stocks, over 160 codes advanced while 70 posted declines.

The HNX30 Index, tracking the northern bourse's leading shares by capitalisation and liquidity, rose by over 1 per cent to reach 133.49 points.

VNDirect Securities Co (VND) was the most-active share with 4 million shares changing hands. It increased 3.8 per cent on July 26.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index edged up by 0.46 per cent to 414.80 points, as advancers outnumbered decliners by 154-75.

The value of trades amounted to just over half of the previous day's level, reaching only 415.7 billion VND (19.7 million USD). Volume also fell 29.2 per cent to just 30.8 million shares.

Nineteen of the 30 shares tracked by the VN30 Index posted gains, while three others tumbled, allowing the index to climb to 490.78 points, an increase of 0.5 per cent.

Investment group Tan Tao (ITA) was the most-active share in HCM City with around three million exchanged. ITA gained 1.5 per cent to close at 6,900 VND per share.-VNA