Key Takeaways:

• NEPSE gained 41.70 points (1.55%) to close at 2,719.24
• Sensitive Index rose 0.90%; Float Index climbed 1.29%
• Manufacturing and Processing sector led gains (+3.22%)
• Turnover reached Rs 5.51B with 12.24M shares traded in 67,155 deals

KATHMANDU, JULY 20 The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 41.70 points, or 1.55 per cent, on Monday, with the benchmark index closing at 2,719.24 points amid broad-based gains across most sectors. Investor sentiment remained positive throughout the trading session, pushing both the Sensitive Index and Float Index higher. The Sensitive Index, which tracks Class 'A' companies, gained 0.90 per cent, while the Float Index rose 1.29 per cent. Almost all sectoral indices ended in positive territory, with the Manufacturing and Processing sector emerging as the top performer, advancing 3.22 per cent. The Others sector climbed 2.81 per cent, followed by Hydropower at 2.79 per cent, Hotels and Tourism at 1.98 per cent, Investment at 1.55 per cent, Development Banks at 1.48 per cent and Trading at 1.14 per cent. The Mutual Fund sector was the sole loser, slipping marginally by 0.02 per cent. The market recorded a turnover of Rs 5.51 billion, with more than 12.24 million shares traded through 67,155 transactions. A total of 343 listed securities changed hands during the session. Market breadth remained strongly positive, with 239 companies posting gains, while 32 declined and five remained unchanged. Among individual stocks, Everest Colour Limited led the gainers with a 14.97 per cent rise, followed by Ridge Line Energy Limited, which advanced 14.64 per cent. Following Monday's rally, the total market capitalisation of NEPSE stood at Rs 4.67 trillion, while float market capitalisation reached Rs 1.57 trillion.