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The average earnings per share (EPS) of commercial banks have decreased by Rs 5.37 over the past five years. A study of the financial statements of 20 commercial banks shows that the average EPS of commercial banks fell to Rs 14.71 in mid-Jan 2025, compared to Rs 20.08 in mid-July 2021.

 EPS is an important indicator for evaluating a company’s profitability. It is calculated by dividing the company’s net profit by the number of shares. A drop in EPS indicates declining profitability for banks. With non-performing loan (NPL) levels rising, banks are forced to set aside a substantial portion of their profits for provisioning, which has impacted their net profit.

The average EPS of Class ‘A’ banks, which was Rs 20.08 in mid-Jan 2020, increased to Rs 23.28 in mid-Jan 2021. Since then, the average EPS of banks has declined continuously. It fell to Rs 20.14 in the second quarter of 2022, Rs 16.78 in 2023 and Rs 14.71 in 2024.

The average EPS of commercial banks has fallen by Rs 2.07 over the past year. Data shows that the average EPS of commercial banks dropped to Rs 14.71 in the second quarter of 2024/25, compared to Rs 16.78 in the same quarter of 2023/24.

NIC Asia Bank has seen the biggest drop in EPS during the review period. Data shows that the EPS of NIC Asia fell to Rs 2.04 in the second quarter of 2024/25, down from Rs 25.59 in the same quarter of 2023/24. Next is Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd, which saw its EPS fall from Rs 25.78 in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year to Rs 9.76 in the same quarter of the current fiscal year.

Siddhartha Bank Ltd, Asian Development Bank Ltd, Kumari Bank Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, Prime Commercial Bank Ltd, Citizens Bank International Ltd, and Nepal Bank Ltd have also seen declines in EPS during the review period.

Eleven commercial banks managed to increase their EPS over the past year. NMB Bank reported the biggest growth of Rs 6.84 in EPS among the 20 commercial banks in the country. Next was Nepal Investment Bank Ltd, with EPS rising by Rs 6.04.

Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd reported the highest EPS of Rs 32.67 in the second quarter of 2024/25. Everest Bank Ltd, Nabil Bank and NMB Bank Ltd followed, with EPS of Rs 32.06, Rs 25.05 and Rs 21.82, respectively.

NIC Asia Bank reported the lowest EPS of Rs 2.04 in the second quarter.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 2. 41 points to close at 2, 730. 00 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 23 points to close at 459. 61 points.

A total of 23,770,348-unit shares of 319 companies were traded for Rs 11. 87 billion.

Meanwhile, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC)​​​​​​ were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) and River Falls Power Limited (RFPL)​​​​​​​ were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 52 trillion.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced that there will be disruption in supply of power in Kuleshwor, Baneshwor, Jorpati, and Kirtipur distribution centers in Kathmandu for eight days starting from today.

The electricity supply to these areas is being cut off in order to underground the electrical distribution lines, NEA stated.

NEA Project Management Directorate has stated that electricity supply will be cut off from 11 am to 4 pm in the locations under those feeders today.

According to the Directorate, there will be power outages in the areas around the Bhatkekopul bridge (Chabahil) on Monday, the areas around the Kalanki Land Revenue Office on Tuesday, the areas of Balkumari, Imadol, and Lubhu on Wednesday, the areas from Naikap to Balambu on Thursday, the areas from Balkhu to Chobhar Gate on Friday, and the areas under the Jorpati feeder from Baba Chowk to the Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Similarly, it has been announced that the area from Gaushala Chowk to Old Baneshwor on Monday and the area from Ratopul to Gaushala on Tuesday will experience power outages.

Apologizing for the disruption of electricity supply over eight days, the authority has stated that there will be no 'shutdown' if the weather remains unfavorable.

A new bill registered in the House of Representatives aims to remove the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s (CAAN) role as a service provider, if passed. This legislation will separate CAAN’s regulatory and service-oriented functions, allowing it to focus solely on oversight and compliance.

According to Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, CAAN will retain its authority over key regulatory responsibilities, such as granting and revoking aircraft-related permissions, overseeing registration and cancellations, and ensuring personnel qualifications. It will also be responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards for air services.

To manage airport construction, operation, and related services, a separate bill has been proposed. This new legislation, the Nepal Civil Aviation Act 2024, will replace the Civil Aviation Authority Act 1996.

Under this restructuring, CAAN will have the authority to grant licenses and permissions to organizations and service providers operating airlines, aircraft, gliders, ultralights, microline balloons, paragliding, skydiving, and other aerial activities. It will also oversee air navigation services, airport operations, and civil aviation training programs.

Additionally, the bill grants CAAN jurisdiction over aircraft and parts manufacturing, maintenance, import, storage, sale, and distribution. It will regulate commercial flights by foreign airlines in Nepal and oversee international airline operations.

The authority will also have the power to issue ‘type’ certificates for aircraft and grant licenses, certificates, and permits to personnel requiring specialized skills in civil aviation.

Further responsibilities include setting standards for air traffic services, aircraft search and rescue, fire prevention, aviation weather information, and life-saving services. CAAN will also be responsible for installing, operating, repairing, and maintaining aviation communication, air navigation, and surveillance equipment.

Moreover, the authority will enforce international aviation standards and implement recommendations from global conventions and organizations. It will also coordinate and collaborate with international regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with global aviation norms.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 69. 80 points to close at 2, 727. 58 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 13. 64 points to close at 458. 37 points.

A total of 24,848,079-unit shares of 330 companies were traded for Rs 12. 95 billion.

Meanwhile, Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (USLB), Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (GILB), Aviyan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (AVYAN), Vijaya laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (VLBS) and Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SLBSL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 52 trillion.

Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Balaram Adhikari, has said the government is working in a way that the Commission formed now to address the land-related issues would be the final one.

While inaugurating a building for the Land Revenue and Survey Office at local Chabahil today, he said the Commission has been granted the authority now unlike the previous Commissions.

He said no fake landless people will be recognized as the landless people as in this digitalized age the status of land possession of anyone will be easily known with the online entry of the citizenship certificate.

Minister Adhikari urged the Office employees to not work against rules and procedures, warning an action in case of violation of rules.

The Land Management Minister said that land that was capped during the 2021 BS Land Reform Policy, has now been registered and it should be corrected.

He also urged the Office to ensure the archiving of the details of public land across the country.

He said the Office has been established to provide the land revenue and survey services from a single venue.

Secretary at the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation, Arjun Prasad Pokhrel stressed that office employees should work with a new vision, advising them to protect the old data in a systematic way.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed progress in ongoing development endeavors.

In his address to the fifth session of the House of Representatives that convened today, the Prime Minister said the successful completion of projects launched to achieve prosperity in the nation is among the goals of the government.

"The government is making steady progress in executing projects that contribute to a prosperous Nepal," he stated.

Citing the recent breakthrough on the Siddhababa tunnel as a significant achievement, he said that the project will help minimize travel difficulties for passengers while enhancing infrastructure sustainability.

He also referenced progress on the Dhedre tunnel in Makwanpur, part of the Kathmandu-Terai Madhesh Expressway, and the Jogbani-Kimathanka project, a project of national pride.

Similarly, construction on the Butwal-Narayangadh road section is advancing, and efforts are underway to develop the Kirtipur Cricket Ground into a stadium equipped with floodlights, according to the Prime Minister, who further said the completion of an advanced stadium in Surkhet and the resumption of several previously stalled projects are among the achievements of the incumbent government.

Regarding political stability, he said that Parliament is now free from the recurrent compulsion of the Prime Minister seeking a vote of confidence.

"In the past six months, our experience is that we are free from the repeated need to test our vote of confidence," he said.

Adhyayan School and Leapfrog Technology in collaboration with Code for Nepal and Veda have organized Nepal’s first-ever inter-school hackathon. This event, held in Kathmandu, brings together 235 students from 33 schools to tackle educational challenges under the theme “The Future of Learning.”

The hackathon comprises an orientation, a boot camp, a mentorship phase, and Demo Day,

spanning from January 26 to February 19, 2025, according to the organizer.  It officially commenced with an orientation session on January 26, 2025, at Leapfrog Technology. Students from grades 7 to 10 will harness the power of Scratch and Python to develop innovative solutions addressing issues in education, health, and society, under the guidance of 32 expert mentors, organizer said. 

On the final day, the top seven teams will present their projects at Rastriya Nach Ghar, where the winners will be awarded cash prizes of Rs. 1,00,000, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 50,000, respectively. More than just a competition, Hack-अ-Thon fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social responsibility, aiming to shape Nepal’s next generation of tech leaders, according to the organizer.