Trading boomed yesterday in HMC City, with value reaching nearly VND1.1 trillion (US$52.3 million).

The VN-Index gained 0.22 per cent to 419.27 points as gainers almost doubled losers.
Trading value rose 34.6 per cent over Wednesday on a volume of 99.8 million shares.
The VN30 added a modest 0.11 per cent to close at 491.34 points, with nearly half of leading shares losing ground.

There was good news though for insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and PetroVietnam Finance (PVF) that finished the session on the ceiling. PVF said that, in line with the State Bank of Viet Nam's request, the company was not allowed to release any information related to a rumoured merger with Western Bank.
In addition, PVF had not received any guidance from the central bank.

Others shares to make progress were PetroVietnam Drilling Services (PVD), Phu My Fertiliser (DPM), Vietcombank (VCB),Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ) and Sacombank (STB), adding from 2-2.9 per cent.

On the VN30, only Gemadept Logistics (GMD), property developers Vingroup (VIC) and Tan Tao (ITA), software giant FPT (FPT) and BVH ended the year down on 2011.

Of the gainers, 20 grew faster than the VN-Index that rose 16 per cent.
The champions were Hoa Sen Group (HSG) and Da Nang Rubber Co (DRC) with increases of 135 and 116 per cent.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index shed 1.73 per cent to finish at 58.09 points, halting a six-day rally.

More than 131.3 million shares changed hands valued at around