VN Index hits new record highVietnam’s benchmark VN Index marginally surpassed the record high of 1,170 points on March 22 as energy stocks remained upbeat and insurers and agriculture firms performed strongly as well. The VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange edged up 0.26 percent to end at 1,172.36 points, posting a nine-day increase of 4.3 percent in total. The benchmark index narrowed its growth from the intraday gaining pace of 0.94 percent, which helped the VN Index rise to the 1,180-point level. Rising oil prices and growing energy stocks remained the most important factors that boosted the benchmark index over its former all-time high of 1,170 points. On the opposite side, the benchmark index suffered strong investor selling when it touched the intraday peak of 1,180 points.