NEPSE Slips 0.34%

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index slipped 0.34% or 9.70 points on Wednesday, August 20, to close at 2,767.20. The benchmark had risen 0.33% on Monday and 0.23% on Tuesday.

Market analysts said profit-booking weighed on sentiment after a steady climb in the previous sessions.

Candlestick charts formed a red inverted hammer pattern, suggesting sellers pushed prices lower despite some buying demand, indicating selling pressure may dominate near term.

Over 15.26 million shares changed hands through 53,853 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 5.20 billion down from Rs 5.63 billion a day earlier.

Among the 250 listed companies traded, 60 advanced, 188 declined, and 2 remained unchanged.

All major sub-indices ended in negative territory. The Sensitive Index, which tracks A-class companies, dropped 0.44%, while the Float Index slipped 0.35% and the Sensitive Float Index fell 0.44%.

Of the 13 sectoral indices, only the Hotels and Tourism Index and the Mutual Fund Index gained, by 2.03% and 0.06% respectively. The Trading Index recorded the sharpest drop, falling 1.06%.

On the stock front, Bikash Hydropower Company Limited (BHCL) surged to the upper circuit, becoming the day’s top gainer, while Panchakanya Mai Hydropower Ltd (PMHPL) tumbled 9.03%, emerging as the biggest loser.

In terms of turnover, Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) topped the chart, followed by Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL) and Chandragiri Hills Limited (CGH).

 

The day’s losses dragged overall market capitalization down to Rs 4,623.85 billion from Rs 4,637.13 billion on Tuesday.