After declining for four consecutive trading days, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index surged 0.88% Monday, June 9 to close at 2,653.09 points.

The index had dropped 0.41% Sunday, 0.22% last Thursday, 0.45% Wednesday, and 1.32% Tuesday.

Brokers attributed Monday’s gain to increased investor interest in the hydropower sector, despite the overall bearish trend in recent days. Shares of eight hydropower companies saw significant gains.

Makar Jitumaya Suri Hydropower Limited (MAKAR), Pure Energy Limited (PURE), Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI), and Bindhyabasini Hydropower Development Company Limited (BHDC) topped the list of gainers, each surging 9.99%.

However, Monday’s turnover–exceeding Rs 8.68 billion with more than 17.5 million shares traded across 78,848 transactions–was lower than that on Sunday when turnover surpassed Rs 9.13 billion  from the trade of 19.9 million shares in 86,636 transactions.

Out of 248 traded scrips, 191 advanced, 56 declined and one remained unchanged. 

All major sub-indices closed higher: Sensitive Index by 0.54%, Float Index by 0.86% and Sensitive Float Index by 0.75%.

Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC) emerged as the biggest loser of the day, with its share price plunging 7.47%.

Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd (RADHI) recorded the highest turnover of Rs 622.8 million, with its share price reaching Rs 826 at market close. Universal Power Company Ltd (UPCL) and Butwal Power Company Limited (BPCL) followed, with turnovers of Rs 549.5 million and Rs 513.5 million, respectively.

Out of the 13 sectoral indices, three closed lower: the Trading Index fell 0.44%, the Hotels and Tourism Index 0.25%, and the Life Insurance Index edged 0.09%. Meanwhile, the Others Index recorded gained 2.63%--the highest.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization rose to Rs 4.419 trillion from Rs 4.380 trillion the previous day.