KATHMANDU – The Nepali stock market (NEPSE) experienced a slight uptick on Thursday, rising 3.14 points to close at 2,743.74. However, trading volume decreased significantly, falling from 10.43 billion on Wednesday to 8.62 billion on Thursday.

Market activity was mixed, with 81 companies seeing price increases, 158 experiencing declines, and 5 remaining unchanged. The life insurance sector was a notable performer, registering a 2.42 percent gain. Large market capitalization companies also contributed to the positive movement, with this group increasing by 3.77 percent, leading the overall market gain.

Other sectors showing positive growth included non-life insurance (0.64 percent) and others (0.57 percent). Declining sectors saw relatively small losses, all under 1 percent. These included banking (0.55 percent), development bank (0.52 percent), finance (0.17 percent), hotel and tourism (0.31 percent), hydropower (0.75 percent), investment (0.37 percent), manufacturing (0.81 percent), and microfinance (0.30 percent).

Among individual companies, Guardian Microlife Insurance led the gainers with a 10 percent increase. Win Nepal Laghubitta (9.69 percent), Aparhewa Khola (9.14 percent), Laxmi Laghubitta (8.21 percent), and Upkar Laghubitta (8.1 percent) also saw substantial gains. Conversely, Barahi Hydropower experienced the largest decline, dropping 8.35 percent. Bhooleg Energy (5.78 percent) and Dibyashwari Hydropower (4.12 percent) also saw significant losses.

In terms of trading volume, the most active companies were Nepal Reinsurance Company, Himalayan Reinsurance, CEDB Holdings, NRN Infrastructure, and Narayani Development Bank.