Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) last week jumped 15.70 points to close at 1525.09 points.

The market that opened at 1509.39 points on Sunday posted gains for the following two days before losing 20.41 points on Wednesday. 

The benchmark index gained 0.97 points on Thursday. The week’s largest single-day gain came on Tuesday when the index rose 20.46 points. 

Stockbrokers attributed the rise to the upcoming budget presentation and excess liquidity with the banking system.

Dharma Raj Sapkota, managing director of Swornalaxmi Securities, hopes that the budget would introduce policies to strengthen the stock market boosted investor confidence. 

Of the nine trading groups, five posted gains. The insurance sector (up 225.96 points) was the top gainer, followed by development banks, hydropower, commercial banks and finance companies.  

Hotels (down by 55.86 points) was the biggest loser. It was followed by manufacturing and others. The trading group was stable at 201.38 points.

The sensitive index that measures the performance of ‘A’ class companies was up 3.35 points to close at 329.98 points. The overall market transaction rose 66.75 percent to Rs7.14 billion, while the number of shares traded increased to 14,670,390 from 6,961,570 units.

Nepal Bangladesh Bank posted the highest transaction of Rs425.59 million. Nepal Life Insurance, Shikhar Insurance, Himalayan General Insurance and Nepal Bank rounded out the top five.

Meanwhile, Nepse listed bonus shares of NLG Insurance, Summit Microfinance Development Bittiya Sanstha, Century Commercial Bank, Nepal Credit & Commerce Bank, Nepal SBI Bank and Mega Bank.