Kathmandu, January 25

The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index recorded a fresh high today as the benchmark index surged by 0.23 per cent or 2.81 points to 1,222.43 points.

The bull run in the stock market today was led by banking sector. The banking sub-index increased by 6.66 points or 0.6 per cent to land at 1,117.99 points. Finance and insurance also witnessed gains today as their sub-indices surged by 0.03 per cent to 585.75 points and 0.05 per cent to 5,452.77 points, respectively.

However, hotels, development banks, insurance and others sub-groups ended in the red zone — dipping 0.04 per cent to 1,778.52, 0.18 per cent to 1,201.04 points; 0.24 per cent to 2,152.22 points and 0.73 per cent to 798.88 points, respectively.

In total, 756,172 shares of 99 firms worth Rs 492.08 million changed hands through 2,543 transactions today. The sensitive index rose 0.27 per cent to 262.94 points. Likewise, float index also went up 0.27 per cent to 87.75 points.

SEBON issues directive

KATHMANDU: Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) — the regulator of securities market in the country — has instructed the listed firms to deposit rights and bonus shares into dematarialised accounts of the investors. As the securities market regulator has already implemented full-fledged dematerialised trading system in the secondary market since January 17, this provision will also facilitate investors in trading. Since January 17, SEBON has suspended trading of firms that have not acquired membership of Central Depository System and Clearing Ltd (CDSC) to dematerialise their securities. As per CDSC, 172 companies out of listed 232 firms have acquired membership of the CDSC. As of today, 315,809,489 shares of 172 companies have been dematerialised and 153,616 demat accounts have been opened.