KATHMANDU: The country’s only secondary market that had been on a bull run since the central bank introduced the monetary policy set a new record today as Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index closed at all-time high of 1,191.92 points.

The benchmark index was northbound since the market opened at yesterday’s close of 1,159.93 points. By the day’s closing, the local bourse had gained 31.99 points or 2.76 per cent.

Stock investors have been majorly attracted to the banking shares as the new monetary policy has required them to increase their paid-up capital within a limited time frame. Their sentiment has received further boost with the Central Depository System Limited (CDSC) implementing compulsory demat transactions.

Today’s movement of Nepse index was comparatively smooth, as the market operator did not have to apply any circuit breaker during the day. Altogether 1,223,016 shares of 139 companies amounting to Rs 667.71 million were traded through 4,497 transactions.

Sensitive index, which gauges the performance of class 'A' stocks, jumped 7.17 points or 2.84 per cent to 259.95 points. Similarly, the float index that measures the performance of shares actually traded also inclined by 2.43 points or 2.94 per cent to 85.08 points.

Trading was the only subgroup to remained constant at 206.51 points. All the remaining subgroups recorded gains.