NEPSE gains 14 points as turnover falls; SEBON announces capital market policy measures

The stock market index gained double digits on Wednesday, rising 14.08 points to close at 2,590.29 points. The market remained positive throughout the trading session, supported by gains across most sectors.

Despite the rise in the index, the total trading turnover declined sharply compared to the previous session. Shares worth NRs 8.41 billion were traded on Tuesday, while Wednesday’s turnover dropped by nearly half to NRs 4.17 billion. A total of 84.73 million shares of 362 listed securities were traded during the day.

Share prices of 195 companies increased on Wednesday, while 60 companies declined and 19 remained unchanged.

Among sectoral indices, the investment sector was the only decliner, falling 0.46%. The development bank sector posted the highest gain, rising 1.37%. Banking increased 0.74%, hotels and tourism 0.61%, hydropower 0.47%, life insurance 0.54%, manufacturing and processing 0.57%, microfinance 0.27%, non-life insurance 1.03%, and other sectors also recorded gains.

NMB Debenture 10.75%: 2089/90 recorded the highest price gain of the day, rising 9.20% to NRs 1,424 per unit. Narayani Development Bank was another top gainer, with its share price increasing 8.40% to NRs 799.90 per share.

On the losing side, Upakar Laghubitta recorded the biggest decline, with its share price falling 7.32% to NRs 2,873 per share. NIBL Stable Fund declined 6.28%, with its unit price dropping to NRs 8.50.

In terms of turnover, 10% Himalayan Bank Debenture 2083 was the most traded security, with transactions worth NRs 441 million. The debenture traded at NRs 1,050.10 per unit, up 0.01% from the previous session. The 7% RBBL Debenture 2088 ranked second, recording transactions worth NRs 332 million at NRs 1,070 per unit.

Meanwhile, the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has unveiled its policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 through its website. The programme largely repeats several initiatives announced in previous years while highlighting measures aimed at strengthening Nepal’s capital market.

SEBON has included plans to facilitate the restructuring of Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) and amend various policy provisions. The board has proposed introducing new market mechanisms, including intraday trading, short selling, and securities lending and borrowing.

According to SEBON, short selling will be introduced to allow investors to earn returns even during market downturns. The board also plans to establish a framework for intraday trading, allowing investors to buy and sell securities within the same trading day.

The policy programme has again highlighted attracting participation of non-resident Nepalis (NRNs) in the country’s capital market. SEBON said it will coordinate with relevant authorities to implement recommendations from previous studies and move forward with necessary legal and structural reforms.

The board also plans to encourage greater participation of institutional investors, including the Employees Provident Fund, Citizen Investment Trust, Social Security Fund, and pension funds, by creating an environment for investment across diverse asset classes.

SEBON has further proposed removing the six-month lock-in period currently applicable to mutual funds after IPO allocations. The board said the change is intended to improve demand and supply balance after listing and enhance market efficiency.

The latest policy announcement comes as the stock market shows early signs of recovery following pressure from investors after a prolonged decline. SEBON Chairman Dr. Gopal Bhatt had earlier assured investors of immediate measures to support the market after discussions with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle.