A PV Gas (GAS) slowdown once again dragged the VN-Index down below the psychological threshold of 580 points on July 2.

The company boasts the largest number of shares in term of market capitalisation.

On the Hochiminh Stock Exchange, GAS lost 1.8 percent to close at 109,000 VND (5.17 USD), extending a negative impact on the VN-Index which inched just 0.13 percent to end the session at 578.80 points though there were times during the day when it went over 581 points.

Blue chips were mixed. Dairy giant Vinamilk (VNM) jumped 2.46 percent and Masan Group (MSN) climbed 1.09 percent, but Vietcombank (VCB), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Gemadept (GMD), Eximbank (EIB), Vietinbank (CTG) and Phu My Fertiliser (DPM) declined substantially.

However, with rising liquidity and over half of the top 30 shares by market value ascendant, the VN30 still rose 0.36 percent to 620.20 points.

Trade value improved slightly over the previous session, totaling nearly 1.66 trillion VND (78.7 million USD), while the market volume reached over 109 million shares and fund certificates.

Real estate shares attracted investors the most, with four of the five most active stocks being from this sector. These were the FLC Group (FLC), Tan Tao Investment Industry (ITA), Hoang Quan Consulting Trading Service Real Estate (HQC) and Dat Xanh Real Estate Service & Construction (DXG).

FLC's stocks saw the highest trading, with 11.3 million shares jumping 4.39 percent over July 1 to end at 11,900 VND per share.

Stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange continued to grow further on strengthened investor confidence with the HNX-Index rising 1.05 percent to close the session at 78.90 points.

The HNX30 tracking the top 30 shares by market value and liquidity on the bourse also climbed 1.58 percent to end at 160.69 points.

Trading was busy with the market volume was up 70 percent over the previous session, totaling 77 million shares worth 744.3 billion VND (35.3 million USD), 50 percent more than July 1 value.

Speculative stock PetroVietnam Construction Corp (PVX) was the most active code with 4.7 million shares traded, leaping 2.33 percent to close at 4,400 VND a share. The company has posted losses for three consecutive years and is on the brink of leaving the market.

Foreign investors continued to be net buyers on both exchanges but their buy value decreased gradually. They picked up shares worth just 11.15 billion VND (528,000 USD) on the HCM City market while buying shares worth 36.34 billion VND (1.7 million USD) on the Hanoi bourse.-VNA