In the trading session on August 21, although the market was still quite differentiated, strong cash flow with the main destination being banking stocks helped the main index of the stock market continue to be excited, even increasing strongly towards the end of the session.
At the end of today's session, August 21, VN Index increased by 23.64 points, equivalent to 1.42%, to a fairly high of 1,688 points. However, the HoSE scoreboard recorded a adversity for the majority of investors when recording 214 codes down, while the number of codes up was only 118.
In the list of 12 ceiling codes of HoSE, there are a series of bank codes such as: OCB, SSB, VIB, STB, TPB, MSB. The remaining bank codes recorded an increase of 2-6%. Also according to statistics, 12/15 stocks with large capitalization contributing 25.5 points to VN Index have up to 12 bank stocks, in addition to the above stocks, there are also VPB, BID, VCB, LPB, ACB, TCB, CTG, HDB.
Although cash flow did not create a breakthrough like the previous session, with nearly VND51,000 billion, equivalent to 1.7 billion shares matched in 1 session, it is also an ideal number for the market.
However, foreign transactions were a minus point when they sold a whopping VND2,498 billion. On HoSE alone, foreign investors net sold about VND2,417 billion. On the afternoon of purchase, SSI shares were net bought the most by foreign investors in the whole market with a value of VND245 billion, BID was net bought VND92 billion.
In contrast, VPB bank shares were the code that foreign investors were net sold for VND 588 billion; HPG was also sold for VND 344 billion. Next, the stocks that were net sold for hundreds of billions in today's session also have CTG (241 billion VND); GEX (172 billion VND); K Human (146 billion VND)... In the buying direction, SHS stocks continue to be net bought the strongest with a value of up to 82 billion VND.
It can be seen that in the last two consecutive trading sessions, the stock market has recorded strong growth in banking stocks. In the context of the VN-Index still relying heavily on the financial - banking group, reading the correct beat of this group of stocks is strategically meaningful.
The banking industry has had a picture of business results in the second quarter and first half of 2025, showing that credit has recovered, profits have improved thanks to stable net interest income and strong growth in service fees. Many banks have announced dividend plans in cash or shares, creating attraction for domestic and international cash flow.
equally important factors for the banking industry are monetary policy and industry regulation. The decision to reduce the reserve requirement ratio by 50% for some banks from October 1 will release tens of thousands of billions of VND, directly reducing capital cost pressure and creating room for credit expansion. At the same time, the revised Law on Credit Institutions took effect from October 15 and the new Land Decree issued on August 15 opened a legal corridor for handling bad debts and removing legal problems for real estate projects.
This means that the risk of the bank's asset quality will gradually decrease, and reserve costs will be better controlled. In addition, the current valuations of many banks still show room. The P/E, P/B of the industry is generally at an attractive level if compared to the historical average and compared to the region.
Experts predict that banking stocks are likely to continue to play a "supporting" role for the VN-Index, but with high selectivity. Information affecting the upcoming market is that in October, mandatory reserves will begin to decrease, the Law on Credit Institutions will take effect, the FTSE upgrade review period in October, and the financial reporting season for the third quarter of 2025.
Each of these milestones can be a cash flow catalyst, but the level of benefits varies, depending on the bank. The recommendation is that instead of FOMO chasing short waves, investors should choose a bank with a solid capital foundation, stable profitability, reasonable valuation and direct benefits from the policy.
