Vietnam stocks among the world's worst performers

Tariff volatility caused global stocks to fluctuate in April, especially in the first half of the month. According to financial data aggregator IndexQ, the 10 most negatively volatile stock markets all fell by more than 4%.

Argentina topped the list with a 10.8% loss. The index representing the Vietnamese stock market was next with a 6.2% drop, from 1,306 points at the beginning of the month to 1,226 points. This was the deepest monthly decline in a year.

Most of the sharp declines in stock markets were in Asia and Europe, the two regions most affected by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. In addition to Vietnam, IndexQ also listed Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and Switzerland as the markets with the biggest declines in April.

In the US, major indexes also fell. The S&P 500 lost 0.8%, while the DJIA fell 3.2%.

Investors monitor stock price boards at a trading floor in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran

In Vietnam, investors reacted strongly to the reciprocal tax information. As soon as Mr. Trump announced the initial tax rate of 46%, tension and extreme pessimism enveloped the market. Investors simultaneously sold off, causing the VN-Index to fall for 4 consecutive sessions, breaking through a series of important support levels and at one point falling below 1,100 points. Some securities companies at that time even recommended that investors "preserve capital and survive the week" at all costs.

However, the decision to postpone the imposition of tariffs immediately helped the domestic market recover strongly. The index increased rapidly for three consecutive sessions, including a session with only VND6,300 billion in matched orders - the lowest level in many years - because "there were buyers but no sellers". Stocks of some industry groups that analysts expected would not be affected much by tariffs such as domestic retail, public investment, securities... all hit the ceiling.

After the US President postponed the imposition of tariffs for 90 days, Mr. Matthew Smith - Research Director of Yuanta Securities Vietnam Company predicted that from now until July 9, domestic stocks will fluctuate between 1,200-1,300 points and liquidity will not be high. The market will not have many significant fluctuations during this period, so he recommends that investors be patient and cautious.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Yen Chen-Hui - Vice President of Research Center, Yuanta Securities Investment Consulting Department - added that in the next 3 months, investors must manage their asset portfolios well in general, not just stocks. In the context of an economy with many unknowns and uncertainties, he suggested that investors diversify their investment channels into gold, bonds, savings deposits, etc.

"The market will continue to be uncertain in the second quarter of this year, but after that everything will be clearer. The important thing is to survive this period and be ready with cash to buy stocks when good opportunities arise," Mr. Yen shared.

Duong Chung (According to Vnepress.net)

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/128191/Chung-khoan-Viet-Nam-vao-nhom-giam-manh-nhat-the-gioi