The VN-Index closed at 418.18 on July 13, a gain of 0.22 percent, as large-cap shares rebounded on the HCM Stock Exchange.

Shares of real estate developer Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG), financial conglomerate Masan Group (MSN) and steel producer Hoa Phat Group (HPG) all rose after successive sessions of declines. HAG soared 4.7 percent while MSN increased by 3.6 percent and HPG by 1.7 percent.

Sacombank (STB) continued to be the most-active share on the southern exchange, closing unchanged after 1.57 million shares changed hands. Advancers outnumbered decliners overall on the HCM City market by 114-83.

The overall value of trades declined 13 percent from the previous day's level, reaching 559.5 billion VND (27.2 million USD) on a volume of 40.3 million shares – with about half of that volume attributable to negotiated trades. As many as 10.7 million shares of the Vietnam Fund (VFMVF4) were exchanged through negotiated transactions, while over 3 million shares of seafood processor Hung Vuong Corp (HVG) and Vinh Son-Song Hinh Hydropower Co (VSH) also changed hands by this method.

Independent analyst Nguyen Viet Hung said that, with no significant news, July 13's rise could have been a technical adjustment, with a few investors attracted to sound shares that have become undervalued.

"Market value remaining modest has showed that most investors remain cautious about any jumps in the market for the time being," Hung said, predicting the market would likely continue to tread water for the next few sessions.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index retreated by 0.46 percent to close at 71.95 points, reversing the previous day's gains. Trades were sluggish, with just 19.6 million shares traded for a value of only 212.8 billion VND (10.3 million USD). Losers outnumbered gainers by 157-82, with Kim Long Securities (KLS) once again holding down the spot as the most active shares nationwide with 3 million traded. KLS closed down 2.9 percent to 10,700 VND (0.50 USD) a share.

Foreign investors concluded yesterday as net sellers on both bourses, unloading a net of over 15 billion VND (728,200 USD) worth of shares. /.