Amid the continuing bearish run in the domestic stock market, share prices of 25 companies have fallen below Rs 200 in the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse). On Thursday, the last trading day of the week, shares of 14 hydropower companies and 10 commercial banks were traded below Rs 200. The share price of Global IME Bank dropped to Rs 198.50 while the stocks of Sunrise Bank and Bank of Kathmandu fell to Rs 181 and Rs 197, respectively. Similarly, the share price of Kumari Bank has plunged to Rs 181, Prabhu to Rs 185.2, Citizens Bank to Rs 176, Century Commercial Bank to Rs 178.5, Mega Bank to Rs 187, NCC Bank to Rs 176.7 and Laxmi Bank to Rs 189.5. Of these 10 banks, Sunrise and Laxmi Bank have announced that they will not distribute dividends this year. The same is the story of hydropower companies. As banks tightened the margin loans following directives from the Nepal Rastra Bank, the hydropower sector that recorded the highest gain in the last bull run, is now going through a lean patch. Till one year ago, hydropower was one of the most preferred sectors of domestic investors as share prices of hydropower companies rose to new highs.

On Thursday, the Nepse index decreased by 0.01 points to close at 1867.21 points. With parties now exploring new government formation, the investors also are in 'wait and watch' mode. With banks' interest rates still on the higher side and the liquidity crunch still continuing, investors are not in the mood for making new investments in stocks till new government formation.

Box Companies whose share prices are below Rs 200

Companies Thursday’s closing price Kumari Bank Limited Rs 181 Prabhu  Bank Limited Rs 185.2 Citizens Bank International Limited Rs 176 Panchakanya Mai Hydropower Ltd Rs 180 Himal Dolakha Hydropower Company Rs 170 Union Hydropower Rs 174 Shiva Shree Hydropower Rs 162 HIDCL Rs 163 Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Rs 163.9 Joshi Hydropower Development Company Rs 181 Bank of Kathmandu Rs 197 NCC Bank Rs 176.7 National Hydro Power Company Rs 192 Century Commercial Bank Rs 178.5 Global IME Bank Limited Rs 198.5 Rapti Hydro And General Construction Rs 199.8 Sunrise Bank Rs 181 Khanikhola Hydropower Rs 174 Laxmi Bank Rs 189.5 Mega  Bank Nepal Rs 187 Barun Hydropower Rs 192 Dibyashwori Hydropower Rs 169 Nepal Infrastructure Bank Rs 179 People’s Power Rs 196 Peoples Hydropower Company Rs 199