After four consecutive days of losses, Nepal’s stock market registered a modest recovery on Thursday, April 24. The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index closed at 2,658.02, gaining 2.08 points or 0.07%. This uptick brought a slight reprieve after the benchmark index declined throughout the week—falling by 0.61% on Sunday, 0.28% on Monday, 0.36% on Tuesday, and 1.2% on Wednesday.

Market turnover also picked up on the final trading day of the week, signaling improved investor sentiment. Daily turnover reached over Rs 7.87 billion, up from Rs 7.57 billion a day earlier. A total of 19.75 million shares changed hands in 70,703 transactions, reflecting increased trading activity.

Technical analysts pointed to the emergence of a doji candlestick pattern on the charts, a signal often associated with market indecision. The formation indicates a balance between buying and selling pressure and suggests uncertainty about the near-term direction of the market.

Out of the 245 companies traded on the day, 161 closed lower, 83 gained, and one remained unchanged. Despite the mixed performance of individual stocks, all major sub-indices finished higher. The Sensitive Index rose by 0.27%, the Sensitive Float Index added 0.35%, and the Float Index increased by 0.12%.

Two insurance companies—Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited (NMIC) and Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited (CREST)—topped the gainers’ list, each surging by 9.99%. On the other hand, Nepal Hydro Developers Ltd. (NHDL) recorded the steepest decline, plunging 7.12%.

Ngadi Group Power Ltd. (NGPL) led the market in terms of turnover, followed by Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd. (RADHI) and NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN). 

Sector-wise, only five of the 13 sub-indices ended in positive territory. The Investment Index was the best performer, rising 2.49%, while the Hotels and Tourism Index posted the largest loss, falling 1.16%.