KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) on Wednesday saw a slight decline of 4.45 points (0.16%), closing at 2,711.45, following a 14.08-point drop in the previous session.
Despite fluctuating between a high of 2,726.07 and a low of 2,704.24, the day’s total turnover was Rs. 8.95 billion, with 19,181,414 shares exchanged across 309 companies.
The finance sector performed well, gaining 5.67%. Meanwhile, gold prices rose by Rs 2,200 per tola, reaching Rs 1,66,900, continuing a recent upward trend.
In other news, the Nepali Embassy in Oman began issuing labor permits for workers, while Swet-Ganga Hydropower posted a profit of Rs. 10.25 crore in Q2, a significant recovery from last year’s loss.
Additionally, Bottlers Nepal (Terai) began distributing a 50% cash dividend to shareholders following their AGM.
NEPSE closes slightly down by 4.45 points
NEPSE ended Wednesday’s session with a slight drop of 4.45 points (0.16%), closing at 2,711.45, following a larger 14.08-point decline in the previous session.
After starting the day at 2,719.59, the index experienced fluctuations, peaking at 2,726.07 and bottoming out at 2,704.24.
The total turnover was Rs. 8.95 billion, with 19,181,414 shares exchanged in 90,752 transactions across 309 companies. The finance sector led the day with a notable 5.67% gain.
Gold price increases by Rs 2,200 per tola
The price of gold in the Nepali market increased by Rs 2,200 per tola on Wednesday.
According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation, the price of 24-carat gold surged to Rs 1,66,900 per tola on Wednesday, an increase from the previous day’s rate.
On Tuesday, the price of 24-carat gold had already increased by Rs 1,900 per tola, bringing it to Rs 1,64,700.
In addition, the price of silver also increased by Rs 45 per tola, and was traded at Rs 1,975.
Nepali Embassy in Oman starts issuing labour permit
The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat of Oman started to issue Labour Permit for the Nepali workers who are legally working in Oman and have not got such permit from Nepal.
It was the first live enrollment for Legalization of Labour Permit in Foreign Countries which started on 31 January 2025 in Salalah, Oman.
The provision of Legalization of Labour Permit from the Embassy itself is expected to greatly facilitate Nepali workers to receive several benefits as per the policy of the Government of Nepal, according to a statement issued by the Embassy.
Swet-Ganga Hydropower reports Rs. 10.25 crore profit in Q2
Swet-Ganga Hydropower & Construction Limited (SGHC) posted a strong financial result for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2081/82, with a net profit of Rs. 10.25 crore.
This marks a remarkable recovery from the net loss of Rs. 2.53 lakh recorded during the same period last year.
The substantial turnaround is mainly attributed to a 10.85% rise in power sales revenue, which increased to Rs. 51.26 crore from Rs. 46.24 crore in the previous year’s second quarter.
Bottlers Nepal pays cash dividends to shareholders’ bank accounts
Bottlers Nepal (Terai) Limited (BNT) began distributing a 50% cash dividend directly to shareholders’ bank accounts from Magh 6, 2081.
The company held its 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the fiscal year 2080/81 on 26th Poush, 2081, where a cash dividend of Rs 50 per share was approved.
This dividend was then deposited into the shareholders’ accounts.
BNT had encouraged shareholders who had not yet dematerialized their shares to do so or to update their bank details in their Demat accounts to ensure they received the dividend.
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