NEPSE rises 28 points as trading activity improves

The stock market rebounded on Friday, with the NEPSE index gaining 27.94 points, or 1.10%, to close at 2,559.49, as investor sentiment improved following the government’s plans to introduce measures to reform the capital market.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said the government would unveil a 10–12-point action plan to improve the stock market by Monday. Wagle has also sought legal reform proposals from the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), building on a 10-point set of recommendations previously submitted by the regulator’s chairman, Gopal Bhatt.

Trading activity also strengthened. Turnover rose to about NRs 4.36 billion from roughly NRs 4 billion on Thursday, with 120.89 million shares of 345 listed securities changing hands.

Market breadth was strongly positive, with 237 companies recording gains, while 31 declined and nine remained unchanged. All 13 sectoral indices advanced, led by the hydropower index, which rose 1.83%. The sector had come under pressure following the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26.

Upakar Microfinance posted the biggest gain, rising 10.53%, followed by Abhiyan Microfinance, which climbed 10.09%. Sindhu Development Bank, Sarbottam Paints and Rapti Hydro also recorded strong gains.

Multipurpose Finance was the biggest decliner, falling 5.71%, while Emerging Nepal dropped 4.21% and Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals declined 4.0%.

Liberty Energy led turnover with shares worth NRs 366.6 million traded, followed by NRN Infrastructure with NRs 185.1 million and Reliance Spinning Mills with NRs 147.9 million.

The Friday rebound came after the NEPSE had declined for two consecutive sessions, with investors responding positively to the government’s renewed commitment to measures aimed at improving the stock market.