Vietnam index hits new 52-mth high on buying, rate cuts

HANOI, March 17 (Reuters) - Vietnam's benchmark VN Index ended up 0.59 percent at 600.36 points on Monday, a new 52-month peak, boosted by buying demand and after the central bank announced several rate cuts. The central bank said on Monday it will lower the ceiling on interest rates that banks can offer on dong deposits to 6.0 percent per annum from 7.0 percent now. "The continued decline in deposit rates will likely support the rally in the local stock market," the ANZ bank said in