The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a mixed trading session today, as the overall benchmark index declined while the Hotels and Tourism sector posted a notable double-digit gain.
Hotels and Tourism Sector Leads the Market
The Hotels and Tourism Index emerged as the top-performing sector of the day, rising by 84.06 points or 1.01 percent to close at 8,360.91. The gain follows a strong increase of 113.31 points recorded in the previous trading session on April 17.
The index opened at 8,394.05, climbed to an intraday high of 8,454.29, and touched a low of 8,265.28 during the day. The continued upward momentum in the tourism sector reflects growing investor confidence, likely driven by seasonal optimism and improving prospects in Nepal’s hospitality industry.
Benchmark NEPSE Falls
In contrast, the benchmark NEPSE recorded a decline of 13.17 points or 0.46 percent, settling at 2,825.23. This comes after a modest gain of 5.36 points in the previous session. The index opened at 2,832.10 and reached an intraday high of 2,846.39, while the day’s low stood at 2,813.24, indicating moderate volatility throughout the trading session.
Market Activity and Turnover
Trading activity remained active, with total turnover reaching Rs. 5.43 Arba. A total of 11,653,370 shares were traded across 349 listed companies through 116,310 transactions. The total market capitalization stood at Rs. 48.18 Kharba, while the float market capitalization was recorded at Rs. 16 Kharba, reflecting the overall size and liquidity of the market.
Sectoral Performance Mixed
Out of the 13 sectoral indices, five closed in positive territory while the remaining eight ended in the red. Apart from Hotels and Tourism, most major sectors faced downward pressure. The Banking Sub-Index, Investment Index, and Manufacturing and Processing sector recorded the highest losses, each declining by 0.51 percent.
Outlook Remains Cautious
Market analysts suggest that despite the decline in the benchmark index, sector-specific gains, particularly in tourism, indicate selective investor interest. The divergence in sectoral performance reflects cautious sentiment among investors amid ongoing market fluctuations. The strong performance of the Hotels and Tourism Index highlights renewed optimism in Nepal’s tourism-driven economy, even as the broader market continues to face short-term corrections.
