KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
Remittance inflows to Nepal grew by 4.1% to Rs. 763.08 billion over the past six months, a sharp decline from last year’s 22.2% increase.
In US dollar terms, the growth was only 1.1%, totaling $5.58 billion. Meanwhile, year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 5.41%, slightly higher than last year’s 5.26%.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a modest gain of 2.41 points, closing at 2,730.00, while net services income remained in deficit, with travel payments rising by 9.7%.
Likewise, gold prices remained stable at Rs. 162,800 per tola, and Sanima Bank launched a new mutual fund offering 2.5 crore units to the public.
Remittance inflows grow by 4.1% in last six months
Remittance inflows have risen by 4.1 percent, totaling Rs.763.08 billion during the past six months.
This growth contrasts with a 22.2 percent increase recorded in the same period last year.
The data was shared by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in its report, Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal, which covers the six-month period ending mid-January 2024/25.
In US Dollar terms, remittance inflows grew by 1.1 percent, totaling $5.58 billion in the review period, a decrease from last year’s 19.5 percent growth during the same period.
NRB reports y-o-y consumer price inflation at 5.41 percent
According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) report Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal, year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation reached 5.41 percent in mid-January 2025, slightly higher than 5.26 percent recorded the previous year.
The report is based on data from the first six months of the fiscal year 2024/25, ending in mid-January. Food and beverage inflation was recorded at 7.67 percent, while non-food and services inflation stood at 4.19 percent during the review period.
NEPSE sees modest increase of 2.41 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) on Monday saw a small gain of 2.41 points (0.08%), closing at 2,730.00, after a strong rise of 69.80 points in the previous session.
Starting at 2,728.65, NEPSE experienced fluctuations throughout the day, reaching a peak of 2,764.17 and a low of 2,720.42.
The total turnover amounted to Rs. 11.87 billion, with 23,770,348 shares traded across 319 companies in 111,918 transactions.
Net services income remained in deficit
Net services income remained in deficit, amounting to Rs.43.53 billion in the review period, compared to a deficit of Rs.35.43 billion in the same period last year.
Under the services account, travel income rose by 5.1 percent, reaching Rs.41.86 billion, up from Rs.39.82 billion in the previous year.
However, travel payments increased by 9.7 percent to Rs.101.92 billion, with Rs.56.83 billion allocated for education expenses.
Gold price stable at Rs 162,800 per tola
Gold prices remained unchanged on Monday, while silver has experienced a further decline, as reported by the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation.
Gold maintained its price for the last two days, following a 2,300 rupee increase per tola last Friday.
Gold was traded at 162,800 rupees per tola, consistent with Sunday’s price.
On the other hand, silver decreased by 15 rupees per tola, bringing its current price to 1,885 rupees per tola.
Sanima Bank launches ‘Sanima Flexi Fund’ Offering 2.5 crore units to public
Sanima Bank has launched the “Sanima Flexi Fund” mutual fund scheme, offering 2.5 crore units to the general public. Sanima Capital Limited has issued an offer letter for this open-ended mutual fund, with the subscription period running from 6th to 11th Falgun, 2081.
If the offering is not fully subscribed by the closing date, the deadline may be extended until Falgun 20.
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