The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed higher on the second trading day of the week after declining in the previous session.

The benchmark index rose by 22.21 points, closing at 2,777.58. Similarly, the Sensitive Index increased by 2.78 points, the Float Index by 1.36 points, and the Sensitive Float Index by 1.01 points.

Market activity showed strong investor interest in the finance sector, which led the gains among sub-indices. Out of 13 sub-sectors, 12 posted gains, while only one declined.

The finance sub-index surged by 6.03%, making it the best-performing sector of the day. The “Others” sub-index also rose by nearly 4%, while trading and non-life insurance sectors gained over 1%. The manufacturing and processing sub-index, however, recorded a slight decline.

Despite the rise in the index, total turnover declined compared to the previous session. On Monday, the market had recorded a turnover of Rs. 5.61 billion, while Tuesday saw Rs. 5.26 billion worth of shares traded across 346 listed companies.

A total of 11.38 million shares changed hands through 61,527 transactions during the day.

Among individual stocks, Kalinchok Hydropower Limited hit a positive circuit, closing at Rs. 498.20 after gaining Rs. 64.90.

Similarly, Central Finance Limited rose by more than 13%, while Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited gained around 10.5%.

In terms of turnover, Ankhu Khola Hydropower Company Limited remained the top traded stock with Rs. 467.6 million in transactions, followed by Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited and Ridi Power Company Limited.