Shares reversed their declining streak during yesterday's session with indices gaining around 0.4-1.4 percent. However, liquidity did not improve.

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index closed at 407.28 points, a 0.47 percent increase. Advancers overwhelmed decliners by 163-60.

Twenty-four of the 30 leading shares by capitalisation and liquidity rose, while only Sacombank (STB) and property and hospitality services developer Vingroup (VIC) retreated.

The VN30, therefore, edged up 0.4 percent to 481.57 points.

Market value reached only 337 billion VND (16 million USD), dropping 29 percent compared to the previous session, as trading volume fetched nearly 22.7 million shares.

Meanwhile, the HNX-Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange added 1 percent to 68.59 points. The HNX30 rose 1.43 percent, hitting 128.27 points.

Almost all 30 shares tracked by the HNX30 posted gains, although the advance is quite modest. Foreign investors tended to buy those shares, including Sai Gon – Hanoi Bank (SHB), PVGas North (PVG) and PVGas South (PGS).

Around 20.7 million shares worth an overall value of 196.4 billion USD (9.3 million USD) changed hands, falling 11 percent in terms of trading value over the previous session.

VNDirect Securities Co (VND) is the most active stock nationwide with some 3.2 million shares exchanged. It advanced during the day by 3.3 percent to conclude at 9,400 VND per share.

While foreign investors concluded as sellers in HCM City by a margin of 25 billion VND (2.2 million USD), they are buyers in Hanoi , picking a margin of 10 billion VND (476,000 USD).

"The most notable movements appeared on the southern bourse, with foreign investors buying more than 700,000 Habubank (HBB) shares, plus shares of PetroVietnam's subsidiaries and the financial sector," said Hoa Binh Securities Co analyst Nguyen Thi Kieu.

However, the trend in short-term is still declining, she added. "The next support level for the VN-Index will be around 395 points."

In addition, low trading volume is an obvious indicator for current investor pessimism.-VNA