On the last trading day of the week, the NEPSE index of the Nepalese stock market experienced a decline, falling to 1965 points. The index shed 3.24 points compared to the previous day’s close, indicating a broad market pullback. Accompanying the dip in the NEPSE index, the overall turnover also decreased, with the trading value dropping from the previous day’s Rs 2.53 billion to Rs 2.36 billion.
The trading session witnessed a mixed performance across sectors, with 88 companies experiencing an increase in their share prices, while 149 companies saw a decline, and seven remained stable. The finance group emerged as the top gainer, with its index rising by 3.13 percent or 62 points. However, other sectors faced bearish sentiments, with the banking group decreasing by 2 points, development banks by 7 points, hotel and tourism by 21 points, hydropower by 11 points, manufacturing by 47 points, microfinance by 14 points, and other groups shedding 5 points collectively.
Notably, the life insurance sector climbed by 20 points, while the business group gained 3 points, and the life insurance group index increased by 43 points. The multipurpose finance segment witnessed the most significant surge, with its share prices rising by 10 percent. Similarly, Pokhara Finance increased by 8 percent, Swabhiman Laguvitta by 6.7 percent, Best Finance by 6.3 percent, and Shree Investment Finance by 5 percent.
On the flip side, Sabaiko Laghubitta experienced the steepest decline, shedding 5.8 percent of its value, followed by Maikhola Hydropower (-5.4 percent), NRN Infrastructure (-5.1 percent), Manusi Microfinance (-3.9 percent), and Unique Nepal Microfinance (-3.8 percent).
In terms of trading activity, Pokhara Finance, Multipurpose Finance, People’s Power, Gorkha’s Finance, and IME Life Insurance led the pack in terms of turnover.
The mixed performance across sectors and the decline in the NEPSE index and turnover reflect the volatility and shifting investor sentiments in the Nepalese stock market. Market participants will closely monitor the developments and sector-specific trends to make informed investment decisions in the upcoming trading sessions.
