Stock Market Gains Momentum Amid Subdued Trading

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) climbed 0.70 percent, or 18.37 points, on Tuesday, December 16, closing at 2,619.99.

The previous day, the benchmark index had risen 0.25 percent, ending a two-week losing streak during which it recorded only a single gain of 0.28 percent last Tuesday.

Despite the gains, market turnover continued to decline, falling to Rs 3.29 billion from Rs 3.44 billion on Monday.

Of the traded securities, 187 advanced, 61 declined, and 11 remained unchanged.

All three major sub-indices closed in positive territory. The Sensitive Index gained 0.70 percent, the Float Index rose 0.74 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index increased 0.67 percent.

Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SWASTIK) led the gainers, hitting the upper circuit limit, followed by Narayani Development Bank Limited (NABBC) and SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL), which rose 9.99 percent and 9.98 percent, respectively.

Swet-Ganga Hydropower & Construction Limited (SGHC) posted the steepest loss of the day, falling 4.16 percent.

Ngadi Group Power Ltd. (NGPL) dominated the turnover chart with Rs 198.24 million, followed by Lumbini Bikas Bank Ltd. (LBBL) and Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL).

Among 13 sectoral indices, only the Trading Index ended slightly lower, down 0.01 percent. The Development Bank Index surged the most, rising 1.56 percent, followed by the Hotels and Tourism Index (1.49 percent) and the Others Index (1.15 percent).

Total market capitalization increased to Rs 4,399.02 billion from Rs 4,368.17 billion on Monday.