Shares on the HCM Stock Exchange rallied on Oct. 10 with the VN-Index edging up 0.4 percent to close at 419.66 points.

Losers outnumbered gainers by 142-76.

Trading saw the most sluggish session in two months with the value of trades totalling 357.7 billion VND 17.3 million USD) as 22.77 million shares changed hands, declining 30 percent in both value and volume compared to the previous session's close on Oct. 7.

Of the 10 largest shares by capitalisation, food processor Masan Group (MSN) hit the daily limit of 5 percent. Vietcombank (VCB), insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Vietinbank (CTG) and real estate developer Vincom (VIC) increased by 0.4-3.2 percent.

Other blue chips slid or ended unchanged.

PetroVietnam Construction Investment Co (PXL) saw the highest trading volume on the southern bourse with more than 1 million shares exchanged, although it bottomed out at 5,600 VND per share.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index retreated by another 1 percent to conclude the session at 70.46 points.

Losers overwhelmed gainers by 193-64.

The day's value of trades reached 76.8 percent of Oct. 7 level, totalling 247.4 billion VND (12 million USD) on a volume of 24.87 million shares.

Kim Long Securities Co (KLS) was the most active code nationwide with more than 2 million shares changing hands.

Foreign investors became net buyers by a combined net of 21.9 billion VND in both cities./.