Shares rose on the HCM Stock Exchange but declined on the Ha Noi market on July 18, with trading volumes continuing depressed on both bourses.

On the southern exchange, the VN-Index closed at 415.77, a gain of 0.25 percent over the session on July 15, despite declines in value by a majority of codes.

The value of trades dipped by 8.4 percent from July 15's level to just 346.2 billion VND (16.8 million USD) on a volume of 19.3 million shares.

Of the 10 leading shares by capitalisation, five advanced, helping lift the VN-Index into positive territory. Real estate developer Vincom (VIC) hit its ceiling price of 124,000 VND per share, while insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), software giant FPT, Eximbank (EIB) and Sacombank (STB) all closed up by 0.2-2.9 percent. STB was the most-active share with around two million traded.

Vietcombank (VCB) also rose to its ceiling price as it reached the ex-date for shareholders to participate in VCB's dividend payout. The dividend will be paid in shares, increasing the overall number of VCB shares listed on the HCM City bourse, currently at around 163.2 million shares.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fell by 0.7 percent yesterday to close at 71.02 points. Market value jumped by 35.6 percent compared to July 15’ssession to 228.8 billion VND (11.1 million USD), while the volume of trades also rose by 51.2 percent to 24.2 million shares.

Kim Long Securities Co (KLS) was the most-active share, with 1.4 million shares changing hands. It closed the day down 1.9 percent, while losers outnumbered gainers overall on the northern bourse by 165-71./.