Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) closed 27.19 points higher at 2,708.70 points on Thursday.
With this gain, the benchmark index closed in the green territory for only the second time this week and crossed the psychological threshold of 2,700 points for the first time since January 29.
The market opened on a cautious note and witnessed mild fluctuations in the early trading hours. The index hovered around the 2,680–2,690 range until midday. However, momentum picked up soon after with the index entering a gradual but sustained trajectory. Although some profit-booking was visible near the day’s high, the index managed to hold most of its gains and closed firmly above the support level.
Market breadth was positive, as unit prices of 201 scrips advanced, while 55 declined and four remained unchanged. Three scrips hit the positive circuit of 10% during the session, while three others saw their prices go up by more than 9%.
Union Hydropower Ltd logged the highest turnover of the day, with Rs 587.76 million worth of shares traded. Next were Radhi Bidyut Company and SY Panel Ltd with turnovers of Rs 575.09 million and Rs 537.41 million, respectively.
Total turnover stood at Rs 11.58 billion, the highest since January 29, with 35.57 million units traded through 108,817 transactions.
Except for the Trading sub-index, which posted a nominal 0.48% loss, all trading groups ended the session in the green. The Non-life Insurance and ‘Others’ sub-indices posted the highest gains of 1.98% each. The Hydropower sub-index closed 1.66% higher.
