Kathmandu, December 26
Despite a drop in share prices for most companies, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index increased on the final trading day of the week, gaining 4.19 points to close at 2,630 points.
The trading volume also saw a slight uptick, with transactions totaling Rs 5.32 billion compared to Rs 5.20 billion the previous day. While the share prices of 163 companies declined, 70 experienced gains, and 9 remained stable.
The overall market growth was primarily driven by the “high-cap sector,” particularly the banking segment, which rose by 1.81%. This sector’s performance offset the broader decline in stock prices across most companies.
Beyond banking, other sectors that recorded gains included trading (2.31%), microfinance (0.14%), and investment (0.27%). However, several sectors saw declines: development banks (-2.48%), finance (-2.70%), hotels and tourism (-0.78%), hydropower (-1.28%), life insurance (-0.30%), manufacturing (-0.08%), non-life insurance (-0.26%), and others (-0.16%).
The prices of shares for Atmanirbhar and Support Microfinance surged by 10%, while Guras Laghubitta rose by 7.32%, Prabhu Bank by 5.8%, and Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower by 5.05%.
Among commercial banks, notable gainers included NIMB, Global IME, Kumari, Nepal SBI, Agriculture Development, Himalayan, and Nepal Bank.
In contrast, the development banking sector saw significant declines, largely influenced by the suspension of shares for the troubled Karnali Development Bank. This uncertainty caused steep price drops in weaker development banks, including Corporate Development Bank, Narayani Development Bank, and Sindhu Development Bank, which fell by 10% each. Similarly, Joshi Hydropower dropped by 9.9%, while Saptakoshi Development Bank lost 9.4%.
Other notable decliners included Green Development Bank (-8.4%), Excel Development Bank (-4.4%), and Miteri Development Bank (-3.5%).
Based on trading volume, Prabhu Bank, Janaki Finance, Support Microfinance, Kumari Bank, and Saptakoshi Development Bank were the top performers of the day.
