Vietcap Daily - VN-Index edges down 0.3% - PNJ, VGC, VHC, ACB, LPB, QNS, AIG

* PNJ’s preliminary 2024 results: NPAT only grows 7% YoY, despite strong 14% YoY retail sales growth
* VGC: Both IP, construction materials segments beat 2024F PBT forecast; upside potential for 2025F PBT
* VHC: Robust 32% YoY sales growth in Q4 2024
* ACB: Focus on credit growth in 2024 - Earnings Flash and AM Notes
* LPB: NIM increases YoY; enhanced efficiency - Earnings Flash
* QNS: Earnings beat expectations on solid sugar prices - Earnings Flash
* AIG: Ambitious plan to become regional ingredient distributor - Company Report
* Market wrap: VN-Index edges down 0.3%

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Market wrap: VN-Index edges down 0.3%

The VN-Index edged down 0.3% (-3.6 pts) on Wednesday to close the trading day at 1,242.5. Large-cap stocks dragged the market down as only two members of the VN30 group posted gains. Throughout the index, there were 127 gainers, 311 laggards, and 75 stocks that were unchanged. Total trading volume remained low, but increased compared to the previous trading day to USD476.0mn.

* Banks VCB (-0.2%), BID (-0.8%), VPB (-0.3%), MBB (-0.2%), and ACB (-0.4%) declined while HDB (-2.9%) plunged. LPB (+4.9%) jumped and STB (+0.8%) had a solid gain.

* The real estate sector performed poorly for the second day running, as VHM (-1.3%), VIC (-0.1%), BCM (-1.9%), VRE (-1.8%), and KBC (-1.4%) declined. NVL (-3.9%) sharply fell.

* Laggards from other sectors that strongly affected the index included rubber producer GVR (-1.4%), insurance company BVH (-2.5%), steelmaker HPG (-0.6%), and oil & gas company PLX (-1.8%).

* Logistics company VTP (+2.8%), oil & gas company BSR (+1.5%), telecom towerco CTR (+4.2%), airline HVN (+2.5%), and retailer FRT (+4.4%) were among the top gainers in the index.