The VN-Index appeared poised to reach a fresh nine-year high on Wednesday after the index rose to above 720 for the first time since February 2008. However, shares slumped sharply into the close, ending down almost half a percent. Energy names, such as GAS (-2.6%) and PVD (-1.7%), slid after Brent crude oil prices fell to a three-month low in Asian trading today. GAS hit a 10-month low and has dropped 24% over the last seven months.