VN-Index tracks regional markets

Hanoi (VNA) - The VN-Index gained ground again on Dec. 18, closing up 1.55 percent
to end the trading session at 305.56.

Trading volume on the day was 11.44 million shares worth a total of 283 billion VND
(16.8 million USD).

Investors have begun to comprehend the impact of the global crisis on Vietnam ,
allowing them to feel more comfortable in buying on the domestic market, said Vincom
Securities analyst Phan Anh Tuan, who noted that the domestic market was now mostly
tracking regional markets, most generally up on news of the Fed lowering the US
prime rate nearly to zero.

Foreign investors were also net buyers on the day, with a net volume of 177,830
shares, worth about 20.3 billion VND (1.2 million USD). Buyers were concentrated in
blue-chips like PetroVietnam Finance (PVF), Phu My Fertilisers (DPM) and Pha Lai
Thermal Power (PPC).

In Hanoi, the HASTC-Index also rose 0.83 percent to end the day at 108.22, although
trading volume of 5.83 million shares was down significantly from December 7's
figures. The total value of trades in Dec. 18's session was 146.4 billion VND (8.7
million USD).

Volumes of shares bought and sold by overseas investors on the Hanoi bourse were
1.05 million and 1.1 million, respectively.-Enditem