KATHMANDU: The NEPSE index’s decline of 0.36% on Sunday reflects the continued volatility in Nepal’s stock market, which has seen fluctuations over recent sessions.
Despite this dip, trading activity remains strong, with significant turnover and active participation in the market.
Similarly, the price of gold saw a decrease of Rs 400 per tola, following a series of price fluctuations earlier in the week, influenced by domestic factors such as the government’s reduction of customs duties.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector experienced positive growth, with over 114,500 foreign tourists visiting Nepal in November 2024, the highest in three years, signaling a recovery in the industry.
This is further supported by the announcement of the ‘Nepal India China Expo (NICE-2025)’, which aims to attract tourists from neighboring countries and boost Nepal’s tourism economy.
KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
NEPSE index drops 0.36 percent
The NEPSE Index on Sunday declined by 0.36%, or 9.99 points, closing at 2,738.06.
This follows a drop of 8.30 points in the previous session. The market opened at 2,762.3 and saw fluctuations throughout the day, hitting an intraday low of 2,707.94 and a high of 2,774.14.
Trading was active, with a total turnover of Rs. 8.83 Arba from 16,767,168 shares traded across 314 companies in 82,602 transactions.
EDBL topped the turnover chart, while five stocks reached their positive circuit limits.
Gold price down by Rs 400 per tola today
The fluctuation in the prices of gold and silver highlights the volatile nature of the market, influenced by both domestic and international factors.
Gold prices on Sunday decreased by Rs 400 per tola, reaching Rs 150,500, following a rise of Rs 1,600 per tola last Friday.
This comes after a sharp decline in prices earlier this week, notably a Rs 15,900 drop on Monday and Rs 2,600 on Tuesday.
The fall in prices is largely attributed to the government’s reduction of customs duty, which has impacted the price dynamics of precious metals.
Laxmi Sunrise Bank announces 5.26% dividend
Laxmi Sunrise Bank Limited has announced a proposed 5.26% dividend for the fiscal year 2080/81.
The proposal was made during the bank’s 299th board meeting, held on November 29, 2024.
The dividend will be drawn from the bank’s paid-up capital of Rs. 23.18 billion.
The proposal includes 5% bonus shares, totaling 11,593,577.25 units, as well as a 0.26% cash dividend (including tax), amounting to Rs. 61,018,828.
The proposal is pending approval from Nepal Rastra Bank, after which it will be ratified at the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Over 100,000 foreign tourists visit Nepal in November
More than 114,500 foreign tourists visited Nepal in November 2024, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board.
This marks the highest number of arrivals in three years.
In November 2023, Nepal welcomed 108,630 foreign visitors, while in November 2022, the figure was 72,653. In comparison, only 26,135 tourists visited Nepal in November 2021.
India topped the list of source countries, with 19,915 tourists arriving from Nepal’s neighboring country.
Nepal India China Expo (NICE-2025) from February 24
The ‘Nepal India China Expo (NICE-2025)’ has been scheduled to take place in Pokhara on February 24-26.
According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Nepal Chapter, the event aiming to encourage the arrival of tourists from neighboring India and China will be supported by the Nepal Tourism Board, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism (Gandaki Province), the Pokhara Metropolis, the Pokhara Tourism Council, and other tourism-related organizations.
(Prepared by Srija Khanal)
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