The market ended the first week of 2012 in the negative territory, affected by the pessimistic sentiment on the outlook of the new year. Further loss dragged the VNIndex to below 340, led by the drop of some blue chips such as BVH, MSN and HAG while the HNXIndex approached the 55 level to close the first trading week. The HSX sank 4.21 points to 336.73 (-1.23%) with negative market breadth. Laggards outstripped advancers by 148:66 with 64 going limit-down. Closing at their limit-down, MSN and BVH removed 3.12 points from the index while VNM added 0.51 points. FPT increased 82bps in the last trading day of the week despite Orchid Fund announcing to accumulate additionally 12.88mn shares. The HNX slid 0.46 points to 55.43 (-0.82%) with laggards outnumbering advancers three-fold, 142:47, with 71 limit-down.