An investor watching the market's movements on her cellphone at an office of Bảo Việt Securities Company. — VNA/VNS Photo The Vietnamese stock market logged the second straight weekly fall last week, with the VN-Index breaking below the key psychological level of 1,200 points. The bearish trend is expected to extend this week, said experts. On the Hồ Chí Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index only gained on September 20 and lost for the rest of last week. The index closed the week at 1,193.05 points. Similarly, the HNX-Index on the northern bourse, the Hà Nội Stock Exchange (HNX), experienced the same trend and was last traded at 243.15 points. For the week, both benchmark indices posted a weekly loss, with the former down 2.8 per cent and the latter down 3.8 per cent. Liquidity on the two main exchanges also declined over the previous session. In particular, on HoSE, liquidity slid 11.1 per cent in value to VNĐ118.5 trillion (US$4.86 billion), while it decreased 5.5 per … [Read more...] about Market may continue trading negatively this week: experts
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JB Securities strives to contribute to development of Vietnam’s capital markets
Kim Dooyoon, CEO of JB Securities Vietnam What is your assessment of the financial landscape of the country, and how have you seized opportunities? In the last three years living and working in Vietnam, I have found that for Vietnamese business, the main source of financing is mostly from banks, and the capital markets are in the early stage compared to peer countries in Asia. As Vietnam's economy grows fast compared to other countries, I expect that its capital markets will also grow to meet the funding needs from the industries, based on my experience and study in Korea and the US. With this expectation, I have decided to focus on the debt capital market first since I joined JB Securities Vietnam (JBSV) three years ago. In particular, in the last two years, JBSV has advised corporate bond issuances and made commitments to invest more than 1 trillion VND. Thanks to our strong financial analytical skills and advanced risk management scheme on the bonds, JBSV has been … [Read more...] about JB Securities strives to contribute to development of Vietnam’s capital markets
Multiple open-end funds record positive performance in 9 months
The selection of stocks based on strict criteria and risk management for the investment portfolio becomes particularly important. Currently, assessing the valuation and growth potential of individual companies and stocks is much more important than looking at the overall market valuation. — VNA/VNS Photo Multiple open-end funds have reported significant profits since the beginning of 2023, although last year many suffered losses or low profits due to market declines. Good Profitability Rates Many open-end funds have recorded higher rates of return compared to the market average. Among them, the VinaCapital-VESAF Fund recorded the highest rate with a 37% increase in profits, followed by SSISCA with a nearly 36 per cent increase, VCBF-MGF with 35 per cent, DCDS 34.8 per cent, DCBC 28.7 per cent, while the benchmark VN-Index only 20 per cent. Nguyễn Hoài Phương, the Investment Director and Fund Manager of VinaCapital-VESAF, stated that in the early months of 2023, the portfolio … [Read more...] about Multiple open-end funds record positive performance in 9 months
Vietnam moves up 4 places in Economic Freedom of World index
Vietnam has maintained a consistent upward trajectory since 2015, reflecting the government's efforts to restructure the economy toward full market-oriented development and international integration. Vietnam has climbed four places to secure the 106th position out of 165 countries and territories in the Economic Freedom of the World index, according to the Canada-based Fraser Institute. Manufacturing of mechanical products at Tam Hop Company in Soc Son District, Hanoi. Photo: Viet Linh/The Hanoi Times The Economic Freedom of the World index evaluates the extent to which policies and institutions support economic freedom. It is published annually by the Fraser Institute in collaboration with the Economic Freedom Network, a coalition of independent research and educational institutions covering nearly 100 countries and territories. Singapore currently leads the world in economic freedom, followed by Hong Kong (China), Switzerland, New Zealand, the US, and … [Read more...] about Vietnam moves up 4 places in Economic Freedom of World index
Giants lead green packaging future
Giants lead green packaging future, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com About 450 businesses from more than 30 countries and territories will gather for the 16th edition of ProPak in Ho Chi Minh City in November to establish a panorama of equipment and new technology in future food processing and packaging. The exhibition will offer a dynamic business platform that is shaping the future of the processing and packaging industries, particularly in an industry closely impacting the environment like packaging. Food packaging currently accounts for 30-50 per cent of the total packaging industry space, according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leading to a strong symbiotic relationship between the two fields of food and packaging. According to German data provider Statista, the packaging sector has been growing on-year with an average rate of 15-20 per cent, in parallel with the average increase of about 10 per cent of the food and beverages market over … [Read more...] about Giants lead green packaging future
Green-certified office buildings on the rise
Green-certified office buildings on the rise, Photo: Shutterstock Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam’s head office in Hanoi was the latest to be awarded LEED Gold certification at the beginning of September, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to sustainability and delivering the most environmentally conscious design. The bank has fulfilled the standards set by the LEED Green Building rating system of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The verification includes a range of factors including energy efficiency, human health and wellbeing, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, sustainable and regenerative material cycles, and active community engagement. Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam), said that certification reflected the bank’s shared values and commitment to crafting spaces that excel in functionality while minimising ecological footprint. “Standard Chartered commits to continuing to drive sustainable economic growth, embrace responsible … [Read more...] about Green-certified office buildings on the rise
Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity
At the 2023 Australian Investment Forum in Ho Chi Minh City last week, deputy director Vu Van Chung of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment noted that Vietnamese businesses are now well-equipped to venture into major economies, no longer limiting their focus solely to countries of similar economic stature. One-on-one meetings with representatives from Australian states and territories were held within the Forum. Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam “Traditionally, we’ve collaborated with nations matching our development level, management capabilities, and potential,” Chung said. “However, in the past five years, investments from Vietnamese firms have witnessed unprecedented growth in both quality and quantity.” With its burgeoning economic development, Vietnam offers myriad collaboration and international integration opportunities. “Currently, we have approximately 850,000 enterprises, with ambitions to expand this figure … [Read more...] about Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity
Just energy transition requires higher labourers’ skills: Experts
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Just energy transition is significant in the development of workers' skills, the labour market and employment due to the high requirements of green and sustainable economic development, heard a conference held by the German Embassy in Hanoi on September 20. Dr. Guido Hildner , German Ambassador said that in his country, the number of employees working in occupations requiring green skills increased 56.7% to 5 million between 2012 and 2020. This shows that the energy transition is a complex and demanding process, but also provides great opportunities to the people and the economies. Noting that Vietnam has set a target of net-zero emission by 2050, the diplomat said that Germany has supported Vietnam in employment transition by training Vietnamese workers in the fields of electricity, electronics and roof-top solar power installation. Each year, tens of thousands of students are trained in 11 vocational training … [Read more...] about Just energy transition requires higher labourers’ skills: Experts
Compelling business model essential for success
Amid the current financial landscape, how do you see the investment appetites of global investors evolving? From the escalating interest rates that echo the world’s financial concerns to brewing geopolitical tensions, uncertainty seems to be the new norm. Louis Nguyen, chairman and CEO of Saigon Asset Management This environment has led many investors to tread with caution. A conservative streak is becoming more apparent, with a pronounced shift towards liquidity. Increasingly, investors, whether individual or institutional, are preferring the relative safety of cash holdings over more volatile investments. Vietnam, too, reflects this broader sentiment of caution. But for this Southeast Asian nation, the complexities run deeper. Beyond the external geopolitical and economic factors that influence global investment behaviours, Vietnam grapples with its own unique set of challenges. Recent internal events and policy indecisions have contributed to an atmosphere … [Read more...] about Compelling business model essential for success
Just energy transition requires higher laborers’ skills: Experts
Dr. Guido Hildner, German Ambassador said that in his country, the number of employees working in occupations requiring green skills increased 56.7% to 5 million between 2012 and 2020. This shows that the energy transition is a complex and demanding process, but also provides great opportunities to the people and the economies. Noting that Vietnam has set a target of net-zero emission by 2050, the diplomat said that Germany has supported Vietnam in employment transition by training Vietnamese workers in the fields of electricity, electronics and roof-top solar power installation. Each year, tens of thousands of students are trained in 11 vocational training facilities, 79% of whom have been employed. With high labor demand, Vietnam will need long-term decisions from the State, along with the promotion of creativity and innovation in the public and private sectors, and the mobilization of public and private investment, especially in modernizing the power grid as well as increasing … [Read more...] about Just energy transition requires higher laborers’ skills: Experts