Nepal’s benchmark equity index closed slightly higher on the final trading day of the week, extending its recent upward momentum, even as overall trading activity softened.

The benchmark index of the Nepal Stock Exchange rose by 1.37 points to close at 2,585.87. The Sensitive Index gained 0.94 point, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index advanced by 0.17 point and 0.46 point, respectively.

Despite the index increase, market turnover declined. Total trading value fell to Rs 3.22 billion from Rs 3.42 billion in the previous session. A total of 7.22 million shares were traded across 334 stocks through 62,768 transactions.

Infinity Laghubitta Financial Institution led the gainers, rising by 5.32%. National Hydropower Company and Him Star Urja Company followed with gains of more than 4%. On the downside, Grameen Bikas Laghubitta Financial Institution and Corporate Development Bank recorded declines of more than 4%.

By turnover, SY Panel Nepal topped the market, with shares worth Rs 144.9 million changing hands. Manjushree Finance followed with transactions exceeding Rs 125 million, while Terhathum Power Company posted turnover of more than Rs 95 million.

Sectoral performance was mixed. Of the 13 sector indices, six closed higher while seven ended lower. Banking, hotel and tourism, manufacturing and processing, mutual fund, non-life insurance, and trading sub-indices posted modest gains during the session.