Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) extended gains for a second straight session on Friday, closing the week’s last trading day 17.15 points higher at 2,591.80.
The benchmark index had posted a nominal gain of 2.31 points on Thursday.
Although the Nepse index moved into negative territory during early trading, it recovered and remained in positive territory for the rest of the session. Of the stocks traded during the session, 180 advanced, while 89 declined and 10 remained unchanged. Total turnover improved to Rs 4.45 billion, with 12.90 million scrips traded across 52,044 transactions.
Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Ltd posted the biggest gain of 4.91% on Friday. Next were Sindhu Bikash Bank and Solu Hydropower Ltd, with gains of 4.22% and 4.05%, respectively. On the other hand, Ridgeline Energy Ltd logged the largest loss of 7.85%. 9% ICFC Debenture 2088 and 10% Prime Debenture 1190 followed with losses of 2.9% and 2.86%, respectively.
Kubari Bank Ltd topped the turnover chart on Friday with transactions worth Rs 211.13 million. Ghalemdi Hydropower Ltd and Himalayan Distillery Ltd followed with turnovers of Rs 203.76 million and Rs 188.78 million, respectively.
All trading groups ended the session in the green. The Banking sub-index closed 1.28% higher. Next were the Hotels & Tourism and Hydropower sub-indices, with gains of 0.9% and 0.74%, respectively.
