NEPSE Slips After Three-Day Rally Despite Higher Turnover

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index slipped 0.40 percent, or 10.66 points, on Thursday, December 18, to close at 2,615.03.

The decline followed three consecutive sessions of gains. The benchmark had risen 0.21 percent on Wednesday, 0.70 percent on Tuesday and 0.25 percent on Monday, ending a two-week losing streak in which the market had otherwise posted just one gain of 0.28 percent.

Despite the fall in the index, market activity improved. Total turnover increased to Rs 4.57 billion from Rs 4.05 billion on Wednesday.

Out of the traded securities, 194 declined, 63 advanced and two remained unchanged.

All three major sub-indices closed lower. The Sensitive Index fell 0.36 percent, the Float Index declined 0.38 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index dropped 0.26 percent.

Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SWASTIK) and SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL) led the gainers, both hitting the upper circuit limits. Barahi Hydropower Public Limited (BHPL) posted the sharpest loss, sliding 4.76 percent.

BHPL also topped the turnover chart with transactions worth Rs 247.23 million. It was followed by Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd (RADHI) and Butwal Power Company Limited (BPCL).

Of the 13 sectoral indices, only three ended higher. The Trading Index posted the strongest gain at 0.48 percent, while the Finance Index recorded the biggest drop, down 1.55 percent.