Kathmandu, December 22:

Though it slowed down in the later part of the week, Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index continued to grow and recorded a rise of 25.42 points to 1055.73 points at the closing of this week from last week’s closing of 1025.91 points.

The market propellers, Commercial banks group and Development banks group witnessed fall in their respective indices whereas Insurance group continued its growth.

On Sunday, Nepse posted a growth of 27.01 points and on Monday 11.07 points but this happy mood of the sole secondary market could not continue as Nepse started dipping, although by marginal points, on the rest of the days of the week. On Thursday, the last day of the trading, the Nepse declined by 5.54 points to 1055.73 points.

Among the total transactions, companies under the ‘A’ category held 47.98 per cent with a transaction of Rs 350.88 million. The sensitive index posted a rise of 1.41 points to 273.25 points.

Similarly, in terms of monetary value, Nepal Bangladesh Bank, National Hydropower, Bank of Kathmandu, Kumari Bank and Chilime Hydropower are the gainers this week.

Nepal Bangladesh Bank topped the chart in terms of monetary value with Rs 110.60 million and in terms of number of shares traded National Hydropwer Company topped the chart with 1,74,000 units of shares this week. However, in terms of number of transaction, Annapurna Development Bank topped the chart with 603 transactions.

Altogether, 51 listed companies’ shares were traded at the Nepse floor this week, where 6,47,209-unit shares worth Rs 740.78 million was traded.

Among the sectoral indices, Commercial banks’ group and Development banks’ group witnessed a roller coaster ride this week, whereas Insurance group flared by 65.19 points. Hotel group also surged by 8.37 points because of some trading of Oriental Hotels’ shares and declaration of annual general meeting of Soaltee Hotels Taragaon Regency Hotels. Soaltee Hotels has announced 10 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders.

However, Manufacturing group, Trading group and Others group saw no trading this week, too.

According to the Securities Board of Nepal’s (SEBON) annual report, the total listed companies at the secondary market at present stands at 142 and the number of brokers is 22.