Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Life insurance companies increased their stock market exposure by nearly 40% during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
According to the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA), total investment in listed securities by 13 life insurance companies rose by 39.42% to Rs 46.11 billion between mid-July and mid-April of the current fiscal year. During the same period of the previous fiscal year, such investment stood at Rs 33.07 billion.
Data show that four life insurance companies increased their share investments by more than 100% during the period. Sanima Reliance Life Insurance recorded the highest growth of 161.03%, taking its investment to Rs 2.07 billion. Similarly, National Life Insurance, IME Life Insurance, and Reliable Nepal Life Insurance increased their investments in listed shares by 127.52%, 113.91%, and 110.99%, respectively.
Himalayan Life Insurance has the largest share investment portfolio. According to the NIA, Himalayan Life’s total investment in shares increased by 17.2% to Rs 12.46 billion. Similarly, Nepal Life Insurance and SuryaJyoti Life Insurance reported total investments of Rs 6.96 billion and Rs 5.15 billion, respectively.
On the other hand, state-owned Rastriya Jeevan Beema Company made the lowest investment at Rs 678.18 million. Asian Life Insurance and Citizen Life Insurance followed, with total investments in securities of Rs 1.41 billion and Rs 1.54 billion, respectively.
Only two companies reduced their share market exposure in the review period. According to NIA, Sun Nepal Life Insurance reduced its investment by 7.78% to Rs 1.59 billion, while Rastriya Jeevan Beema Company lowered its stock market investment by 68%.
Life insurance companies are allowed to invest up to 10% of their technical reserves in companies listed on the stock market.
