NEPSE edges higher as trading activity slows ahead of Tihar

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rose by a modest 2.64 points (0.10%) on Friday closing at 2655.22 points, following a 12.95 point decline in the previous trading session. 

Meanwhile, daily market turnover declined by NRs 1.26 billion (26.69%) to NRs 3.46 billion on Friday compared to NRs 4.72 billion in the previous trading session. 

Despite the modest recovery, the benchmark index recorded a weekly loss of 37.55 points. Total weekly turnover declined by NRs 6.26 billion (18.04%) to NRs 28.46 billion from NRs 34.72 billion in the preceding week. The decline indicates weaker investor participation ahead of the Tihar holidays.

A total of 10,713,842 shares of 336 listed securities were traded on Friday.

All sectoral indices closed in positive territory, except the Others index, which declined by 0.88%. Non-life insurance led the gains, rising by 0.65 %, followed by Finance (0.36%), Development Bank (0.27%), Hydropower (0.26%) and Banking (0.09%). 

Crest Micro Life Insurance emerged as the session’s top gainer, surging by 14.08%, followed by Beni Hydropowe (5.78%), Rastriya Beema (3.42%), and NMB Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha (3.19%). 

On the losing side, Ghorahi Cement Industry led the decliners, shedding by (6.40%), followed by Nepal Reinsurance Company (3.70%), Rastriya Beema promoter share (2.98%), and Kalinchowk Darshan (2.70%). 

Ghorahi Cement recorded the highest turnover of NRs 216.35 million followed by Swet-Ganga Hydropower & Construction (NRs 127.9 million), Reliance Spinning Mills (NRs 119.34 million) and Ghalemdi Hydro (NRs 104.03 million). 

Weekly turnover declined by NRs 6.26 billion (18.04%) to NRs NRs 28.46 billion compared to NRs 34.72 billion the preceding week, reflecting subdued trading activity ahead of the upcoming festival holidays.