Kathmandu, January 16
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 7.33 points on Thursday, closing at 2,588.62, down from Wednesday’s 2,585.86.
The finance sub-index witnessed a significant decline for the second consecutive day, contributing to the overall market downturn. Other sectors, including banking, development banks, hotels and tourism, investment, microfinance, life insurance, and non-life insurance, also registered losses.
On the week’s final trading day, only hydropower, manufacturing, mutual funds, and trading sub-indices showed marginal gains.
Former president of the Stock Brokers Association, Santosh Mainali, noted that investors in finance companies might be selling shares due to perceived high risks in the sector. “Finance sub-indices had risen significantly. However, after reports of issues at Karnali Development Bank and investigations into weaker finance companies, investors seem to be panicking,” he said.
Among finance companies, shares of Pokhara Finance and Janaki Finance hit negative circuit levels, while Reliance Finance shares dropped by approximately 8 per cent. Hydropower company Khani Khola Hydropower also saw a nine per cent decline in its share value.
Despite the overall market decline, shares of four companies – Bottlers Nepal, Win Nepal Microfinance, Mandakini Hydropower, and Upper Hewakhola Hydropower – hit positive circuit levels, rising by 10 per cent.
In terms of trading volume, Sindhu Development Bank recorded the highest turnover, followed by NRN Infrastructure and Sanima Middle Tamor.
The total transaction volume increased slightly compared to Wednesday, reaching Rs 5.93 billion.
