The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped by 49.98 points, or 1.79 percent, over the past week, as government investigations into several high-profile individuals accused of misusing public funds weighed on investor sentiment.
The secondary market, which opened the week at 2,788.70 points, closed lower at 2,738.72 points. Trading took place over four days, beginning on a positive note with a gain of 7.73 points on Monday. However, the index declined steadily over the next three days, losing 26.16 points, 25.81 points, and 5.73 points, respectively.
All sectors recorded losses during the review period. The manufacturing and processing sector saw the steepest decline, dropping by 278.35 points. In percentage terms, the hydropower sector performed the worst, falling by 3.76 percent.
Alongside the decline in the benchmark index, average daily turnover also decreased. It fell by 9.90 percent, from Rs 5.87 billion to Rs 5.29 billion.
Among individual stocks, Shikhar Power Development posted the highest gain, with its share price rising by 5.86 percent. In contrast, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited recorded the biggest loss, with its share price plunging by 22.84 percent.
Market capitalization declined from Rs 4.756 trillion to Rs 4.671 trillion, resulting in a loss of Rs 85 billion in investors’ book value. A similar level of loss had also been recorded in the previous week.
