Le Duc Khanh, director of analysis at VPS Securities

At the conference themed "Scrutinising Upcoming Investment Opportunities" hosted by VIR last week, Le Duc Khanh, director of analysis at VPS Securities, provided insights into groups of stocks worth considering until year-end, given the VN-Index's rebound and the improving economy, even though a major surge has yet to occur.

The stock market has experienced significant fluctuations since early July, with three consecutive losing sessions hitting the 1,280 threshold. However, the number of new accounts being opened continues to grow, with 106,580 new accounts in June alone. This indicates new investors and fresh capital entering the market.

"The market will reach its bottom in the next 3–8 sessions, continuing through the end of July's adjustment period. August could be more positive. Overall, this year's market trend is still upward. I believe the VN-Index will increase by about 18 per cent this year. With the signals indicating market consolidation for a breakout or decline, and the significant increase in market capitalisation over the past few years, the VN-Index can certainly reach 1,350,” said Khanh.

Especially, 2024 witnessed standout stocks with strong business results, those that have turned around from difficulties, and those showing growth with breakthrough results in specific sectors.

"I think the latter half will be the time for individual stocks within specific sectors. Sectors such as telecommunications technology, finance, chemicals, steel, and industrial real estate will be particularly favoured. Investors should pay attention to companies that start showing improved business results and stable cash flows, as these will attract more attention from now until the end of the year and into 2025," noted Khanh.

The herd mentality among some investors leads to simultaneous buying or selling in reaction to events. Often, investors need to justify market movements, but these are usually a series of events unfolding over weeks to months.

"The market's volatility reflects investor sentiment and the influence of crowd psychology on the stock market at various stages. For a breakout, the market needs more positive support information. Currently, we have seen improvements in pre-funding, expectations of an upgrade story, political stability, and the Fed's actions," said Khanh.

"Experienced investors closely monitoring the market can still make forecasts with higher probabilities and allocate their portfolios accordingly. I believe this period might lack information, but from the end of Q3 onwards, there will be more positive news to help investors feel more optimistic about the stock market outlook," he added.