KATHMANDU, May 7: Nepal’s secondary market index posted a modest recovery on Thursday, although overall trading volume declined compared to the previous session.
The NEPSE index rose by 6.94 points to close at 2,718.16. The market gained support from advances in eight subgroups, while finance, investment, manufacturing and processing, mutual funds, and non-life insurance sectors ended lower.
Among the gaining sectors, the trading subgroup recorded the highest rise of 1.57 percent.
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Share prices of 155 companies increased during the session, while 102 declined and 12 remained unchanged.
Investors in Forward Microfinance Laghubitta suffered the biggest loss of the day, with the company’s share price dropping 13.24 percent. Likewise, Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower fell by 8.12 percent.
On the gaining side, Swabalamban Laghubitta posted the highest increase, climbing 12.19 percent.
The market recorded a total turnover of Rs 2.93 billion, lower than Wednesday’s Rs 3.43 billion. In the previous session, the benchmark index had declined 1.64 percent to close at 2,711.22.
In terms of transaction value, NRN Infrastructure topped the chart with shares worth Rs 176.8 million traded. National Hydropower followed with Rs 143.4 million in turnover, while Reliance Spinning Mills recorded transactions worth Rs 141.5 million.
Despite the slight improvement in the benchmark index, the drop in trading volume suggests investors remain cautious. Market analysts say the lower turnover reflects a continued “wait-and-watch” sentiment among many investors, even as most subgroups ended in positive territory.