Stock Market Posts Modest Gain Amid Political Optimism

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed 0.15 percent, or 4.45 points, higher at 2,824.90 on Sunday, March 15.

Following the March 5 House of Representatives elections, the index surged 6 percent last Monday, triggering three circuit breakers that suspended trading by noon.

Investor enthusiasm was driven by the dominant performance of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which went on to secure 182 seats — just two short of a two-thirds majority.

After Monday’s surge, the market cooled mid-week, dropping 1.11 percent on Tuesday and 1.64 percent on Wednesday before regaining some stability on Thursday with a 0.85 percent rise.

Investors are eyeing further gains once the new government takes shape. The six parties that crossed the threshold for proportional representation seats submitted their lists of PR lawmakers to the Election Commission on Sunday.

Total turnover fell to Rs 14.32 billion on Sunday from Rs 14.55 billion last Thursday. More than 39.5 million shares changed hands through 124,490 transactions.

All major indices ended the day in positive territory. The Float Index rose 0.07 percent, the Sensitive Index gained 0.08 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index increased 0.11 percent.

Among individual stocks, 124 companies advanced, 130 declined and nine remained unchanged.

Solu Hydropower Limited (SOHL) emerged as the day’s top gainer, hitting the upper circuit limit to close at Rs 330 per share. It was followed by Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL), which rose 9.99 percent.

Daramkhola Hydro Energy Limited (DHEL) was the biggest loser, falling 10 percent to close at Rs 729 per share.

In terms of turnover, GreenLife Hydropower Limited (GLH) topped the list with shares worth Rs 810.12 million traded, followed by Ridi Power Company Limited (RIDI) and National Hydro Power Company Limited (NHPC).

Of the 13 major sectoral indices, four ended in negative territory. The Hotels and Tourism Index fell the most, down 0.62 percent, while the Trading Index posted the biggest gain, rising 2.83 percent.

Market capitalisation increased to Rs 4,754.46 billion from Rs 4,744.73 billion on the previous trading day.