On the last trading day of the week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rose by a double-digit figure. The NEPSE index gained 22.59 points, or 0.88%, closing at 2,582.18 points today.
The sensitive index, which measures strong and active companies, also rose by 1.08% to reach 451.31 points. A total of 313 listed companies traded 11.83 million shares worth over Rs 5.27 billion.
Market opened strong but interest faded
At the start of trading, the market jumped nearly 4% and hit a positive circuit in just three minutes. However, 20 minutes later, trading slowed down and there was little excitement.
Market analyst Ajay Singh Thapa said the early surge was mostly driven by traders trying to manipulate the market. He added that the central bank’s policies alone cannot boost the market. He warned that even the recently adjusted policies are unlikely to sustain growth. According to Thapa, the stock market can only improve if the national economy strengthens. Current challenges such as protests, floods, and rising bad loans in banks may limit growth. He also noted that the IMF and World Bank predict Nepal’s economic growth could be cut in half.
Thapa emphasized that the future of the market depends heavily on the political situation. If elections happen on time and popular leaders come to power, the market may improve. Otherwise, uncertainty will continue. He also accused some senior leaders of misleading general investors about the stock market.
Market expert Dev Guragain added that today’s market did not fully welcome the central bank’s policies. He noted that growing uncertainty might be pushing investors toward gold and cash instead of stocks. Like Thapa, Guragain believes political developments will determine the market’s direction.
Most sectors in green
Out of 13 sectors listed on NEPSE, 12 ended in the green today. The investment sector gained the most at 1.61%. Other notable sector gains included banking (1.07%), development banks (1.08%), finance (1.23%), hotels (0.92%), hydro (0.95%), life insurance (1.30%), manufacturing (1.03%), microfinance (0.95%), mutual funds (0.17%), non-life insurance (0.93%), and others (0.23%).
Top traded companies
Shivam Cement led the trading volume with over Rs 273.4 million in shares traded. Union Hydropower followed with Rs 271.2 million, Himalayan Reinsurance Rs 209.3 million, Nepal Reinsurance Rs 200.7 million, and Himalayan Distillery Rs 167.1 million.
Biggest winners and losers
No company hit an upper price circuit today. Bindhyabasini Hydropower’s shares rose the most by 8.21%, followed by Asian Hydro (5.54%), Corporate Development Bank (4.15%), and Sindhu Development Bank (3.98%).
On the losing side, Tristar Hydro’s shares fell 9.09%, Geograph Energy dropped 5.43%, and Atmanirbhar Microfinance declined 3.37%.
