Standard Chartered Bank book closure hits Nepse

REPUBLICA
The market resumed trade this week after a week-long Dashain holiday. The first two days witnessed an uptrend in the market. However, the book closure of Standard Chartered Bank (-Rs 1,734) on October 6 for 50 percent cash dividend and 50 percent bonus shares made a massive impact on Nepse index (-4.15 percent) as the trading volume dropped by 36 percent.
The Commercial Banking sector saw a big fall (-6.69%). Nevertheless, Laxmi Bank (+Rs 69) which is distributing 7 percent bonus shares succeeded in posting one of the highest gains. BiratLaxmi Development Bank (+Rs 71) posted the highest gain of the week while Infrastructure Development Bank (-Rs.59) posted a big decline.
The Hydropower sector´s index (-1.36%) also slipped down as National Hydropower (-Rs 2) and Chilime Hydropower´s (-Rs 8) prices decreased.
Despite the huge fall in the market, the Finance sector (+0.23%) managed to climb up as prices of the shares of NIDC Capital Market (+Rs 100) and Pokhara Finance (+Rs 49) appreciated. Gorkha Finance´s Promoter Shares (-Rs 195) traded at a significant loss.
The insurance sector´s (+0.40%) index went up due to the increments in the share values of Nepal Insurance Company (+Rs21) and Lumbini General Insurance (+Rs 11). The index of ´Others´ went down due to a fallin the value of Nepal Telecom´s (-Rs 10).
Meanwhile, Nepal Rastra Bank is opening bids for 91-day Treasury Bills worth Rs 189 crore, 182-day Treasury Bills worth Rs 30 crore, 364-day Treasury Bills worth Rs 40 crore, 28-day Treasury Bills worth Rs 50 crore, and 91-day Treasury Bills worth Rs 80 crore.
Fewa Finance is auctioning its under-subscribed 13,195 units right shares. Lord Buddha Finance closed its right shares (2:1) on October 8.The market can be expected to witness downward trend with more book closures in offing next week.