NEPSE rises 4.79 points as hydropower lead recovery

The stock market showed signs of recovery on Wednesday as the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index gained 4.79 points, or 0.18%, to close at 2,667.97 points.

Trading activity also improved during the session, with total turnover rising to NRs 4.40 billion, up 8.11% from NRs 4.07 billion on the previous trading day. Investors traded 107.6 million shares of 343 listed securities.

The market’s recovery was mainly driven by hydropower stocks, which attracted strong investor interest. The hydropower sub-index increased by 1.45%, gaining 53 points, and contributed more than half of the day’s total turnover. Hydropower companies recorded transactions worth NRs 2.31 billion, accounting for around 52.5% of the overall market turnover.

Among sectoral indices, the trading sector posted the highest gain, rising 1.60%. Hotel and tourism, manufacturing and processing, and the “others” sectors also ended higher. However, banking, development banking, finance, investment, life insurance, microfinance, and non-life insurance sectors closed in the red.

Market breadth remained mixed, with 122 companies gaining, 143 declining, and 11 remaining unchanged.

Solu Hydropower Limited emerged as Wednesday’s top performer, hitting the upper circuit after its share price climbed 14.99%. The company was also the most actively traded stock, with turnover reaching NRs 581 million. Ridi Power Company Limited followed with transactions worth NRs 348.4 million, while Khanikhola Hydropower Company Limited recorded turnover of NRs 277.7 million.

Other major gainers included Shikhar Power, which advanced 5.91%, Ridi Power with a 5.79% rise, Buddhabhumi Nepal Hydropower with a 4.68% gain, and Synergy Power with a 4.18% increase.

On the losing side, Everest Color Limited recorded the steepest decline, falling 9.03%. Corporate Development Bank, Samudayik Laghubitta, and Reliance Spinning Mills were among other major losers.

The latest gain comes after NEPSE dropped 21.15 points, or 0.79%, on Tuesday. Wednesday’s session reflected renewed buying interest, particularly in hydropower stocks, helping the market regain some of its lost momentum.