Market falls for fifth straight day

The market extended its losing streak for a fifth straight session on Friday, with the benchmark Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index falling by 2 points to close at 2,649.51.

The index has now dropped 53 points over the past five trading days, returning to a four-month low. Market turnover, however, rose sharply to NRs 3.94 billion, up from NRs 2.83 billion in the previous session. This week, total turnover amounted to NRs 20 billion.

Out of 359 traded securities, 170 declined, 85 advanced, and 20 remained unchanged, reflecting broad-based weakness across the market.

Most sectoral indices ended lower, including banking, development banks, finance, investment, life insurance, manufacturing and processing, and microfinance. Gains were limited to a few sectors, with the trading sub-index rising 1.08%, followed by modest gains in hotel and tourism, hydropower, and non-life insurance.

Among individual stocks, Kalika Laghubitta Kalika Laghubitta was the biggest loser, falling 10.76%. Saptakoshi Development Bank Saptakoshi Development Bank also declined sharply by 9.45%.

In contrast, newly listed hydropower companies including Snow River Falls, Taksar Pikhuwakhola, and Yambling Hydropower hit positive circuit limits with strong gains.

Debentures dominated trading activity, with Global IME Bank instruments among the most actively traded. The Global IME Debenture 2086/87 alone recorded NRs 331.6 million in turnover, while its 2084/85 issue and Nepal Bank debentures also saw heavy activity.