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Earnings per share (EPS) of most commercial banks have declined in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, according to financial reports published by the banks. Of the 19 commercial banks listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse), only four reported a fall in EPS in the first quarter of 2025/26. Citizens Bank has posted a negative EPS.

EPS represents the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. It is calculated by dividing a company’s net profit by the number of its shares. In the banking sector, EPS serves as a key indicator of profitability and operational efficiency.

Everest Bank recorded the highest EPS among commercial banks, at Rs 36.44 per share—an increase of Rs 1.59 compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Standard Chartered Bank stood second with an EPS of Rs 27.57, down Rs 9 from Rs 36.57 a year ago. Similarly, the EPS of Prime Commercial Bank dropped by Rs 0.59 to Rs 25.94.

Nabil Bank’s EPS stood at Rs 25.49, followed by NMB Bank at Rs 19.95, Global IME Bank at Rs 19.51, Nepal SBI Bank at Rs 18.41, and Kumari Bank and government-owned Nepal Bank both at Rs 16.11. Machhapuchchhre Bank posted an EPS of Rs 13.83, Sanima Bank Rs 13.15, Himalayan Bank Rs 12.45, Prabhu Bank Rs 9.49, Siddhartha Bank Rs 9.03, and Laxmi Sunrise Bank Rs 5.46.

Among the lowest performers were NIC Asia Bank with an EPS of Rs 3.21, Nepal Investment Bank with Rs 0.17, and Citizens Bank with a negative EPS of Rs –5.97.

A higher EPS typically signals better earnings performance, suggesting that the institution can provide higher returns to shareholders, either through dividends or capital gains. On the other hand, a declining or negative EPS raises concerns about profitability, efficiency, or growing costs.

EPS is one of the most closely watched indicators for investors in the stock market. A consistently high EPS suggests stable income and potential for dividend payouts, while a shrinking EPS can dampen investor confidence.

Table

EPS of commercial banks (in Rs)

The price of gold has increased by Rs 4, 900 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 246, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 241, 400 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 170 per tola today.

Nepal has sent an official diplomatic note stating that the 10-point labor standards sent by Malaysia are invalid.

The letter prepared by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security was sent to Malaysia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Concluding that the letter sent by Malaysia is an attempt to implement a syndicate system among manpower entrepreneurs, Nepal has made it clear that it is impossible to implement the standards.

According to the Nepal government, the standards are unacceptable as they affect equal opportunities, transparency and fair competition of foreign employment agencies registered in Nepal.

Malaysia had issued a 10-point criteria for the selection of manpower companies for Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar on Oct 27. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 4. 15 points to close at 4, 561. 94 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 05 points to close at 444. 56 points.

A total of 8,647,889-unit shares of 327 companies were traded for Rs 4. 51 billion.

Meanwhile, Daramkhola Hydro Energy Limited (DHEL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent.

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

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 45 trillion.