Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index gained 16.38 points to close at 2,758.49 points on Friday, the last trading day of the week.
Although the index dipped to an intraday low of 2,737.96 points after early gains, it pared all losses and ended the session 0.59% higher.
Unit prices of 203 scrips advanced during the session, while 57 declined and eight remained unchanged. Total turnover rose to Rs 4.49 billion, with 10.88 million shares traded through 54,497 transactions.
Among individual stocks, Crest Microinsurance Company Ltd logged the highest gain of 14.81%. On the other hand, NIC Asia Balanced Fund posted the biggest loss of 2.59%. Likewise, Ankhukhola Jalvidyut Company Ltd topped the turnover chart, with Rs 439.58 million worth of shares traded. Ridi Power Company Ltd and National Hydropower Company Ltd followed, with turnovers of Rs 245.45 million and Rs 161.61 million, respectively.
All trading groups, except the Trading sub-index—which suffered a loss of 0.42%—posted gains during the session. The Hydropower sub-index recorded the highest gain of 1.29%. Manufacturing & Processing and Hotels & Tourism sub-indices followed, with gains of 0.95% and 0.75%, respectively.
