Finance

NEPSE Slides 1.04% Amid Weak Market Sentiment

Salapa Bikas Bank emerged as the top gainer, hitting the upper circuit for the third consecutive day

February 22, 2026

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index extended its losing streak on Sunday, February 22, falling 1.04 percent, or 27.59 points, to close at 2,614.55.

The secondary market has closed in positive territory only once in the past eight trading days.

The index opened lower and ended the session below a key support level, signalling a likely continuation of the downward trend in the coming days, according to market analysts.

Daily turnover also weakened, declining to Rs 6.69 billion from Rs 8.36 billion last Tuesday. A total of 15.9 million shares were traded through 72,104 transactions.

The market remained closed last Wednesday and Thursday for a public holiday for Gyalpo Lhosar and Democracy Day, respectively.

All major sub-indices finished in the red. The Sensitive Index slipped 0.72 percent, the Float Index declined 0.91 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index fell 0.75 percent.

Market breadth remained weak. Share prices of 220 companies declined, while 34 advanced and seven remained unchanged.

Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL) emerged as the top gainer, hitting the upper circuit for the third consecutive trading day. Its share price rose to Rs 399.3. Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) followed, gaining 9.26 percent to Rs 395.3.

Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) was the biggest loser, shedding 8.92 percent to close at Rs 340.

In terms of turnover, Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Ltd (AKJCL) led with Rs 634.24 million. It was followed by Ridi Power Company Limited (RIDI) and SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL).

All 13 sectoral indices closed lower. The Trading Index recorded the sharpest fall, plunging 3.61 percent. It was followed by the Hydropower Index, down 1.81 percent; the Development Bank Index, down 1.41 percent; the Hotels and Tourism Index, down 1.09 percent; and the Manufacturing and Processing Index, down 1.02 percent. The Mutual Fund Index posted the smallest decline, edging down 0.22 percent.

Market capitalisation dropped to Rs 4,398.13 billion from Rs 4,444.55 billion in the previous session.