NEPSE Declines 1.43%, Turnover Drops to Rs 9.33 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped 1.43%, or 41.35 points, Tuesday, August 5, to close at 2,834, reversing Monday’s 0.57% gain after three consecutive days in the red.

The benchmark index had reached a four-year high of 3,002.07 on July 29, buoyed by investor optimism following the July 11 monetary policy announcement, which favoured the stock market and real estate sectors. However, it declined over the following three trading days, a trend analysts attributed to market correction.

NEPSE has closed higher in 12 of the past 18 trading sessions. 

The index hit an all-time high of 3,198.60 on August 18, 2021, with an intraday record of 3,220.33.

Daily turnover also declined on the week’s third trading day, to Rs 9.33 billion from Rs 10.82 billion on Monday. It stood at Rs 13.07 billion on Sunday and Rs 15.98 billion last Thursday.

Of the 250 companies traded, only 46 advanced while 204 declined.

The Sensitive Index fell 1.30%, the Float Index declined 1.39%, and the Sensitive Float Index lost 1.31%.

Samaj Laghubittya Bittiya Sanstha Ltd (SAMAJ) and Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd (USLB) hit the upper circuit limit, emerging as the day’s top gainers. Their last traded prices were Rs 2,748.20 and Rs 2,493.40 per share, respectively.

Three Star Hydropower Ltd (TSHL), top gainer the previous day with a 6.89% rise, became Tuesday’s top loser, hitting the lower circuit. Its last traded price was Rs 881.10 per share.

Himalayan Reinsurance Ltd (HRL) topped the turnover chart for the second consecutive day, with transactions worth Rs 392.86 million. Trade Tower Ltd (TTL) and Shivam Cements Ltd (SHIVM) followed with turnovers of Rs 370.02 million and Rs 332.88 million, respectively.

Among the 13 sector indices, only the Microfinance and Mutual Fund indices ended in positive territory, rising 0.50% and 0.18%, respectively. The Others Index posted the steepest decline, down 2.83%. 

Total market capitalisation declined to Rs 4,730.45 billion from Rs 4,799.48 billion the previous day.