Finance

NEPSE Rises 0.2% to 2,509 as Festive Lull Keeps Investors Cautious

NRIC tops turnover, SBLD89 gains, TRH falls after indefinite closure

October 26, 2025

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose 0.2 percent, or 5.19 points, to close at 2,509.04 on Sunday, October 26 as the secondary market reopened after Tihar holidays. The index hit an intraday low of 2,469.37 before climbing to a high of 2,509.08.

Out of all listed companies traded, 98 saw their share prices rise, 146 declined, and four remained unchanged. Daily turnover, however, fell to Rs 2.66 billion from Rs 2.79 billion in the previous day. Over 5.59 million shares were traded, down from more than 6.19 million on October 19, the last trading day before the holidays.

Stockbrokers attributed the lower activity to the festive mood and preparations for Monday’s Chhath holiday, which kept investors away from the market. Analysts expect trading to gain momentum gradually as the festive season winds down.

Among sectoral indices, the Sensitive Index fell 0.13 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index slipped 0.1 percent, while the Float Index remained unchanged.

In individual stock movements, 10.75% SBL Debenture 2089 (SBLD89) posted the highest gain, surging 10 percent, or Rs 122.50, to close at Rs 1,347.50 per share. Taragaon Regency Hotel Limited (TRH) was the biggest loser, with its price falling 7.16 percent, or Rs 57, to Rs 739. The hotel recently announced an indefinite closure, citing reconstruction following property damage during the Gen Z protests on September 9.

Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) led turnover, with trades worth over Rs 324.96 million. Its stock advanced 7.10 percent, or Rs 91 per share, to close at Rs 1,372.

Of the 13 sectoral indices, eight ended lower. The Others group recorded the highest gain at 3.05 percent, followed by Trading (0.84 percent), Non-life Insurance (0.08 percent), Manufacturing and Processing (0.02 percent), and Life Insurance (0.73 percent). The Finance sector saw the steepest decline, down 0.72 percent.

Total market capitalisation inched up to Rs 4,194.45 billion from Rs 4,185.77 billion in the previous session.