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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 9. 99 points to close at 2,738.06 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 4. 20 points to close at 473. 30 points.

A total of 16,767,168-unit shares of 314 companies were traded for Rs 8. 83 billion.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC), Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Sindhu Bikash Bank Ltd (SINDU), Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd (SAPDBL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL) 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 4. 53 trillion.

The Nepal Securities Board (SEBON) currently has 76 companies awaiting approval to issue Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). During his first day in office at SEBON’s Satdobato headquarters on Wednesday, newly appointed Chairman Santosh Narayan Shrestha pledged to restart the stalled IPO process. “All IPO-related work at SEBON will now proceed regularly,” Shrestha told ApEx. His initial decision approved Everest Bank’s bond issuance, and he emphasized his commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to modernize and advance Nepal’s capital market. Shrestha highlighted the need to address challenges in the short, medium, and long term, prioritizing previously delayed initiatives. He affirmed that SEBON’s goal is to strengthen Nepal’s economy through capital development and mobilization, with investor safety as a top priority. “The stock market relies on investor confidence, and we are committed to maintaining that trust,” he said.

SEBON recently approved the IPO issuance of Guardian Micro Life Insurance on Nov 22, granting permission for 2.25m shares, equivalent to 30 percent of the company’s 7.5m shares at a face value of Rs 100 each. Among the 76 companies awaiting approval, the majority—37—are in the hydropower sector. Other sectors include five companies in hotel and tourism, two in investment, 13 in manufacturing, one in microfinance, three in microinsurance, and 15 in miscellaneous categories. Collectively, the companies aim to issue over 333.43m shares worth Rs 485.84bn. While most shares are priced at Rs 100 each, some, such as Akama Hotel and Nepal Broadcasting Channel, are priced at Rs 50. A few companies propose shares at a premium, with prices ranging from Rs 210 (Pratikita Shivam Holdings) to Rs 400 (Chhayadesi Complex).

Since Chairperson Shrestha’s appointment, the stock market has shown continuous growth. The NEPSE index recorded a double-digit gain of 38.81 points on Wednesday, reaching 2,755.47. This marked the fourth consecutive day of upward momentum. On Wednesday alone, 17.18m shares from 316 companies were traded for Rs 9.31bn, with eight companies, including Vishal Bazar, Karnali Development Bank, and Support Microfinance, hitting the upper circuit with a 10 percent increase. While prices for 199 companies rose, 40 saw declines, and five remained stable. Despite the overall bullish trend, some investors face losses, such as those holding shares in Mithila Microfinance, which dropped by 10 percent. Janaki Finance led trading by value, with shares of NRN Infrastructure, People’s Hydropower, and Nepal Finance also seeing significant transactions worth Rs 240m–240m.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 8. 30 points to close at 2,748.05 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 38 points to close at 477. 50 points.

A total of 16,663,355-unit shares of 307 companies were traded for Rs 8. 54 billion.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) and Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBS) 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 4. 55 trillion.

To make farmers self-reliant, underground irrigation systems are being constructed in various parts of Nuwakot to provide much-needed convenience. Construction has commenced in Bidur Municipality-9, 10 and Panchakanya Rural Municipality-1, aiming to irrigate 8,000 ropanis of land across four locations.

The initiative follows a study conducted by a technical team to address the challenges faced by farmers in irrigating cultivable land situated above continuously flowing rivers. An on-site inspection at Sukkhatars, Nuwakot, involving people's representatives and technicians, laid the groundwork for this project. Ramesh Kumar Mahat, a member of the Bagmati Province Assembly, laid the foundation stone for the project at Gerkhu, Bidur Municipality-10, stating that it would facilitate vegetable and crop production for local farmers. 

Mahat emphasized maintaining quality in the construction work and highlighted the initiative as a solution to Nuwakot’s ‘dry tars’ problem, where fertile lands lie dry despite rivers flowing below. Mayor Rajan Shrestha of Bidur Municipality shared plans to drill 102 meters deep to extract water for irrigation. The cost for digging stands at Rs 11,000 per meter, and the work is being carried out under the Federal Ministry of Energy and Irrigation.

Simultaneous construction of underground irrigation systems is underway in Colony of Bidur-9, Gerkhutar of Bidur-10, and Aapchaur of Panchakanya-1. The Integrated River Basin Irrigation and Water Resources Management Program, in coordination with the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, is spearheading the deep boring construction to alleviate irrigation challenges faced by farmers.

The project, currently in its first phase, will expand in the second and third phases to include additional irrigation canals, tanks, pipelines, irrigation ditches, and reserve tanks, ensuring water reaches farmers’ fields. The comprehensive plan aims to increase agricultural productivity, enhance self-reliance, and create self-employment opportunities for local farmers. 

Mayor Shrestha noted that the lift technology irrigation system would address the depletion of fertile lands due to a lack of water, significantly benefiting general farmers. With continuous efforts from the technical team and support from the government, the initiative is expected to bring transformative change to the dry lands of Nuwakot, advancing agricultural self-sufficiency in the region.