Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) on Thursday posted a double-digit growth of 14.25 points to close at 1,164.14 points.

Stockbrokers attributed the rise to the issuance of handsome dividends by a number of companies, including commercial banks and insurance companies. “Besides, a possible political consensus also boosted the investor confidence,” said Priya Raj Regmi, president of Stockbrokers’ Association of Nepal.

Except for the group representation trading companies, all other posted gains. Insurance companies (up 53.77 points) was the top gainer, followed by Hydropower, Others, Commercial Banks and Development Banks.

Regmi said the Insurance Board’s move to impose restrictions on companies issuing cash dividends also helped boost the sub-index.

NIC Asia topped in terms of the turnover amount (Rs101.66 million). National Life Insurance, Global IME Bank, Sanima Mai Hydropower and Nepal Investment Bank (promoter’s shares) rounded out the top five companies in terms of the individual turnover.