Nepal Rastra Bank no to mutual fund operations

An effort of two commercial banks to establish a mutual fund has hit a snag after the central bank refused to permit them to jump into the business, stating that Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA) does not include mutual fund operations as areas of activities for the banks. Nabil Bank and Kumari Bank had recently sought permission from the central bank to set up mutual fund. "We had to say no to them because BAFIA, the law governing banks and financial institutions that defines areas of operations, lacks ´mutual fund´ in the list of activities that the banks can venture into," said a source at the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).

NRB´s denial, meanwhile, has almost closed the new investment avenue for small investors, because capital base and other requisites provisioned in the existing Regulations on Mutual Fund make only the commercial banks eligible to kick-start the business. According to Mutual Fund Regulations enacted a year ago, any corporate entity interested to establish a mutual fund must have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion. Apart from that, the interested institution must also have completed five years of operations, earned profit for last three consecutive years and have paid-up capital not less than its net worth.

"Clearly, only commercial banks are eligible institutions to establish mutual fund. We are surprised over the central bank´s denial to let the banks jump into the business," a senior official of Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) said, preferring anonymity. The official even argued that BAFIA was not a hindrance, because the act also has a clause whereby the central bank can authorize banks and financial institutions to undertake financial activities, even if it is not clearly stated in the law. "It´s just a matter of will. There are ample examples of banks operating mutual funds all round the world," the official added. NRB officials, however, said that they were not negative toward banks venturing into mutual fund operations. "It is just that we need policy clearance. Once we get that, we will readily allow banks to set up mutual fund," said the NRB official.

Sebon in recent years had pushed for mutual fund -- an instrument of collective investment in which money from a large number of investors is pooled -- in a bid to widen the capital market and also to pledge additional investment opportunities to the small investors. The pool is managed professionally and investment is made in securities, like stocks, bonds and short-term money market instruments among others. Typically, the fund manager buys and sells the fund´s investments in accordance with the fund´s investment objective. Sebon - the stock market regulator -- is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of the manager, ensuring that it is managing the fund appropriately in the best interests of the investors.

Source:
myrepublica

Nabil agree to Adopt-A-School

Nabil Bank signed an agreement January 21 with Save the Children, Dalit NGO Coordination Committee and School Management Committee of Ratri Primary School in Dhaunauri VDC ¿ 9, Dang under the Adopt-A-School programme of Save the Children. Under the partnership, Nabil Bank will support the infrastructure development of the school which will include constructing two class rooms for the school. "The agreement which will be valid for one year will see the bank directly investing Rs 500,000 in Ratri Primary School to ensure children have a better environment to learn," says bank CEO Amrit Shrestha.

Source:
tht

25% dividend of Nepal Investment Bank

Share holders of Nepal Investment Bank Ltd (NIBL) today lost Rs 68 per unit share but the bank announced 25 per cent cash dividend amounting to Rs 602,274,425 to its shareholders for the fiscal year 2009-10. The board-meeting of the bank decided on the dividend amount that is subject to central bank and AGM's approval. NIBL will pay a total of Rs 180,682,326 to Rastriya Banijya Bank and Rastriya Beema Sansthan, its government stakeholders who together own a 30 per cent stake in bank.

The bank has also paid Rs 800 million to the government making it the highest tax payer among the Nepali banks and the fifth largest among Nepali corporates. "Overall, Nepal Investment Bank will contribute around Rs 981 million to state coffers, including the profit paid to its government shareholders," said general manager of the bank Jyoti Pandey. "The bank has continued its long term strategy to become the leading bank in the country by pursuing a strategy of growth and delivery of quality financial services."It has achieved remarkable growth over the past eight years. In 2002 it started with a total paid up capital of Rs 0.5 billion and the bank has a paid up capital of 2.4 billion ¿ one of the largest in the country ¿ at present. The bank has a deposit base of around Rs 50 billion and the total assets of the bank have increased to Rs 57 billion this year making it the largest lender in Nepal from Rs 4.9 billion in 2002.

Similarly, Nabil Bank lost Rs 39 per unit share. The bonus announcements and nearing book closure of the listed companies have pulled the Nepse down by 1.99 points to 402.44 points today. Except the shareholders of hydropower and hotels, all the shareholders lost today in the secondary market that saw 1,004 transactions worth Rs 27,540,241. A total of 75,430-unit shares changed hands today. Similarly, KIST Bank Ltd's board meeting decided to give five per cent cash dividend subject to approval from Nepal Rastra Bank and its AGM. Meanwhile, Uniliver Nepal has decided its book closure from September 24.

Source:
tht

Nabil Bank's Cash Back

Nabil Bank Limited has launched a special promotional scheme named Cash Back to its Visa debit card customers during the Dashain and Tihar festival. Issuing a press statement, the bank said the scheme will be effective from September 17 to November 16. Under the scheme, all the Nabil bank Visa debit card customers will get one percent cash back on every purchase transaction they process through their Nabil Visa debit cards. The amount earned by each cardholder during the scheme period will be credited to customer´s bank account during the first week of November.  In addition to the Cash Back scheme, the bank has also made discount arrangements with various merchants in the Kathmandu Valley. These merchants will provide discount to both debit and credit card holders of the bank on purchase of various goods and services, the statement added.

 Source: 

Myrepublica

Announcements

Notice of NMB Bank and NMB Capital: NMB

NMB Bank and NMB Capital Ltd has jointly issued notice as all the works carried out by NMB Bank regarding RTS service will now handled by NMB Capital Ltd. 

Upcoming 15th AGM: NMB

NMB Bank Ltd has announced its upcoming 15th annual general meeting to be held on 10 October 2010 (2067 Ashwin 24).

Error Corrected: NABIL

Nabil bank has corrected the error on notice published regarding the 26th AGM.

Ordinary Share Allotment: Kankai Bikas Bank

Kankai Bikas Bank Ltd has allotted its ordinary share to 6725 applicants on 18 September 2010 (2067 Ashwin 2) which is based on following model.

Share Slip Distribution & Money Return Notice: Garima Bikas Bank

Garima Bikas Bank Ltd is distributing share slip and returning the money to the non-allotted applicants from 19 September, 2010 (2067 Ashwin 3).

Upcoming 4th AGM: CDBL 

City Development Bank Ltd has announced its upcoming 4th annual general meeting to be held on 12 October 2010 (2067 Ashwin 26).

Announcements

Book Closure for Interim Cash Dividend: Unilever Nepal Ltd

Unilever Nepal Ltd has issued book closure notice for interim cash dividend from 23 September to 1 October 2010 (2067 Ashwin 7 to 15). 

Upcoming 26th AGM: NABIL

Nabil Bank Ltd has announced its upcoming 26th annual general meeting to be held on 11 October 2010 (2067 Ashwin 25).  

Up coming 1st AGM: Bright Dev Bank

Bright Development Bank Ltd has announced its upcoming 1st annual general meeting to be held on 9 October 2010 (2067 Ashwin 23).

RTS Appoionted: Siddhartha Development Bank Ltd

Siddhartha Development Bank Ltd has appointed Growmore Merchant Banker Ltd as Registrar to Share.

Book Closure For Right Share: Nirdhan Utthan Bank Ltd.

Nirdhan Utthan Bank Ltd. has announced its book closing date for 2:1 right share on 24 Sep 2010 (2067 Ashwin 8).

New banks to come with a bang

With the banking system facing a liquidity crunch and the central bank tightening lending in the real estate sector, upcoming banks say they will come have to come up with new strategies to tackle the situation. While the existing banks are finding it hard to attract deposits, the new banks will have to make extra efforts to get an entry into the market. According to NRB, the liquidity situation is improving as is evident with the inter-banking lending decreasing to six percent and subscription of repo (NRB injecting money against treasury bills of banks) issued by NRB standing at just Rs. 4.96 billion against the offer of Rs. 9 billion. The existing situation prompted upcoming Civil Bank to adjourn its plan to start operations by April-May to the new fiscal year that begins in Mid-July. Civil Bank's CEO Kishor Maharjan said the plan of launching operations was differed as the bank didn't want to produce a balance sheet reflecting losses as a result of a bad market situation. Banks CEOs will be under pressure for performance. High ranking officials of the upcoming banks admitted that it was a tough time to start new banks. But, they were also convinced that their new strategies would work. Maharjan said that they could learn a lot from current crisis and they could take appropriate policies without fear to reduce lending to the real estate sector and maintaining credit and deposit (C/D) ratio as directed by NRB. Former CEO of Sunrise Bank said his bank plans to introduce attractive deposit schemes with competitive interest rates and efficient services for customers. Anil Shah, CEO of upcoming Megha Bank said his bank would offer highly sophisticated ' five start banking' services to customers. "We may increase operating hours, offer door-step banking and provide more efficient service while providing loans to customers," he said. "Being a new bank, we will have to offer competitive interest rates as well to attract depositors." Of course, there will be big challenges for new banks to attract depositors. "But, one advantage for us is that we will be able to get deposits and provide credit at higher interest rates and we will save on adjustment costs of old loans as in the case of old banks," the former CEO of Nabil Bank said. The Megha is planning to start banking transaction within mid-May. Likewise, CEO of Century Bank Ganesh Kumar Shrestha said that the bank's approach would be to provide door to door service to the customers to attract deposits and lend. "Another strategy will be to keep spread rate low offering better interest rates for both depositors and loan borrowers," he said. Century is planning to start operations within the next 2-3 months. "We will probably start banking transactions from the new fiscal year," Shrestha said. Commerz and Trust Bank CEO Anal Bhattarai said his bank would address the liquidity crunch through 'product diversification' while declining to clarify what it meant. He said that the ongoing crisis was a lesson for upcoming banks and they have a chance to make appropriate preparations to tackle the situation. Janata Bank is also in the final process of getting operating license. A senior official of the bank said they would not go with ambitious targets but move ahead carefully. "We will have to collect deposit in a competitive market and we are ready for that."Deputy Governor Bir Bikram Rayamajhi is also positive about the new entrants as they will not have to face acute shortage of liquidity due to paid up capital at least Rs. 2 billion.

Source: ekantipur.com

Financial Stocks Leads Nepse up (+3.16 Points)

Key financial scrip rushed to positive finish on Tuesday set off optimistic close on Nepal stock exchange after plunging hefty on previous session. The home equity market edge up 3.16 points or 0.56 percent to 564.98 after previous session's plunge of 5.12 points. 

In recent days, the sole secondary market is experiencing series of ups and down. It forward one steps up but eventually traded two steps down on frail investment outlook. Investors are on dubious situation what to do next and are too confused on predicting the stock market health. There are rumors around the city that market will collapse further more hence asking regularities bodies to act decisively in favor of stock market.

However today the market has ticked to higher end discounting all the negative rumors. But market analyst viewed that, even stocks have surged today it has indeed failed to uplift the market sentiment in upper perimeter. Investors are viewing carefully the each and every happening on political environment of nation which will basically craft the path of stock market in near term.

Commercial bank which accounts the large volume of trade ended adding 3.95 points or 0.73 percent to 541.46. Standard Chartered (Rs. 3600, +Rs. 40), Nabil Bank (Rs. 2655, +Rs. 5), Nepal Investment (Rs. 850, +Rs. 28), NIC Bank (Rs. 755, +Rs. 21) along with other key commercial bank heave up today to support the surge in Nepse index. Likewise, surge in scrip price of Sanima Bikash Bank (Rs. 577, +9.9%) and Vibor Bikash Bank (Rs. 392, +5.66%) led the development bank index to close at 5.96 points or (+0.97%) higher.

The BOD meeting of Sanima Bikash Bank scheduled on 16th November 2009 (2066 Mangsir 1) has decided to propose 1:1.5 right shares and previously than bank has decided to give 5% bonus shares from the profit of fiscal year 2008/09.

Finance sub-index was up 0.57 points to 599.76, others sub-index gained 2.35 points or 0.39 points, however hydro sub-index plummets marginal of 0.27 points while insurance lost hefty of 9.32 points or 1.55 percent.

Sensitive index gained parallel to Nepse index with a surge of 1.09 points or 0.78 percent to 141.50. Similarly, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market was up 0.25 points to 53.81.

Merely 60 companies registered their presence in the secondary market with 23 gainers and 26 losers. The A-D ratio was maintained at .88. All in all 207912 shares traded today via 857 transactions. Moreover, Rs. 72723685 turnover was realized along with Rs.413420.31 million market capitalizations. Yesterday, 100476 units share traded via 1042 transaction amounting to Rs. 56879894 turnover along with Rs.411106.27 million market capitalizations.

The top five standouts of the day are GFL(9.92%), SBBL( 9.9%), NUBL( 6.79%), VBBL( 5.66%), DCBL(5%). Whereas, DCBLPO(-5.77%), RMBFI(-5.71%), NLIC( -3.9%), GBL( -3.11%), BDBL( -2.49%). comprised of the top five losers.

Three banks take the lion's share

Three merchant banks, NIDC Capital Markets Limited (NCML), NMB Bank limited and Ace Development Bank are neck and neck in business competition whereas the others are struggling hard. Out of 63 companies whose shares and debentures were issued last fiscal year, 18 chose NCML as their merchant bank, 17 went for NMB Bank and 13 settled with Ace Development Bank. This means the three occupied 76.19 percent business as a whole.

Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) received five clients, Nepal Finance (NEFINSCO) and Elite Capital four each, and Development Credit Bank and CIT/NCML one each. These three companies have ruled the roost during the past four months of the current fiscal year, too, with NMB getting business from six companies, NCML from five and the Ace from four. The Civil Capital got business from two companies and CIT from one.

Chief Executive Officer of NMB Upendra Poudel said that his bank pioneered shares applications through the internet and took other inventive measures that helped enhance its credibility and clients' trust. "We have been longer in the business, which has also helped us to win more clients," he added. Although there are 18 merchant bankers registered with the SEBON, only eight companies last year and four this year got business to manage the issuance of shares and debentures. Then, why are an increasing number of merchant banks coming up in the market? Niraj Giri, spokesman of Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), said companies get attracted to this business as it opens many avenues, including issuance of shares, underwriting (guaranteeing to purchase share in case of non-subscription of shares), and portfolio management (making investment decisions using money other people have placed under his or her control) and registration of shares.

Besides 18 more companies already registered with the SEBON are awaiting final approval from the SEBON for merchant banking. They include Nabil Bank, Capital Investment and Development Company, National Investment and Capital Markets and Akash Investment. Financial institutions are attracted to this market as they want to reach wider market through mass marketing. "Many business opportunities have also been created in the capital market for the merchant bankers," Poudel added. Most of the jobs for the merchant banks have been related to rights share issuance, according to SEBON. Out of 18 companies receiving approval for issuing shares this year, 11 are for rights issues and the rest for ordinary shares. As many as 63 companies got approval to issue shares last year. Of these, 50 got approval to issue rights shares, 11 for ordinary shares and two for debentures.

Nepse nose leap down to floor

Investors stampeded to sell at the same time led the scrip prices in a downward spiral at Nepal Stock Exchange. The sole secondary market is running out of hope on dreary investors' confidence. After Tihar holiday, Nepse leap down to floor for all trading sessions which indicates the weak sentiments prevailed among the investors on various grim news floated around the stock market. Today, the benchmark Nepse index rolled down 11.13 points or 1.92 percent to 567.06, its lowest close since 19th June 2009 (567.28 points).

Floating of new shares after right and bonus issues along with IPOs has increased the supply pressure in the market. On the other, declaration of street protest by opposition party U-CPNL (Moist) has dented the hope of peace and security and investment atmosphere nationwide and stock market is no more exception.

Better than expected earnings and encouraging dividends failed to provide the glimmer of hope to boost the market sentiments and now the question is lingering in everyone's mind is, why the market is plunging down ? and how and when will be market budge up to sun shine?

The shabby investors drew their hands from most of the scrip to lend fright situation in most of the secotral indices. Commercial banks, mostly traded scrip at sole secondary market plummet 16.67 points or 3.02 percent to 535.52. Machapuchchhre Bank (Rs. 305, -9.76%), Global Bank (Rs. 458, -8.40%), Nepal Investment Bank (Rs. 778, -7.38) were the biggest losers in commercial banks including key banks as Standard Chartered (Rs. 3500, -Rs. 83), Nabil Bank (Rs. 2646, -Rs. 54), Bank of Kathmandu (Rs. 1445, -Rs. 70) and so on.

Likewise, development bank slid 7.51 points or 1.16 percent to 639.30 fronted by loss in share price of Sanima Bikas Bank (Rs. 530, -3.64%) and Infrastructure Development Bank (Rs. 418, -3.24%). Finance lost 7.32 points or 1.19 percent to 606.88, while dropped down in share price of Nepal Telecom led others index to retreat by 3.52 points or 0.56 percent. However, insurance rose diminutive of 0.05 points to 606.35 and hydro remained unchanged.

"Everyone knows scrip prices at secondary market has already slid too much yet investors are selling on that low price, which points out the market is ruling out by depressing outlook of investors rather than any fundamentals of companies", said Nilesh Shakya (an investor in stock market).

Sensitive index, 78 scrip domestic blue chip ended losing 3.53 points or (-2.44%) to close at 141.04 as most of the scrip price traded below previous close. Sensex consists, 14 commercial banks, 37 finance companies, 15 development bank, 10 insurance companies and one each from hydropower and manufacturing companies. Similarly, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market fell 1.14 points to 54.12.

Merely 62 companies registered their presence in the secondary market with 7 gainers and 48 losers.The A-D ratio was maintained at .15. All in all 219125 shares traded today via 877 transactions. Moreover, Rs. 84204608 turnover was realized along with Rs.399699.38 million market capitalization.

The top five standouts of the day are PFCL(1.85%), PFL( 1.82%), LGIL( 1.55%), SBI( 1.2%), PSDBL(1.01%). Whereas, MBL(-9.76%), GBL( -8.4%), NIB( -7.38%), SBL( -6.07%), ILFC( -5.94%). comprised of the top five losers.

Weak Sentiment Pulls Nepse Down

Stocks at home bourse were solidly lower with blue chips share soften on shabby investors confidence. The benchmark Nepse logged its seventh session straight drop on Thursday to close at 579.58, losing 5.46 points or 0.93 percent. Sell-off marked the investors' sentiment that led secondary market to settle worst for more than 28 months.

Scrip price of companies which has recently declared dividends, as Bank of Kathmandu (40% stock dividend), NIC Bank (15% stock dividend) experienced fall of Rs. 45 and Rs. 61 respectively. This tendency shows that, at temporary phase the market is not running on fundamentals or technical strength but with the investors' sentiment which is absolutely feeble.

Fresh share at market in form of right share and bonus shares has increased the supply side in one hand, on the next IPOs in the market has shifted the investment to risk free and high return rather than plain sailing secondary market. Likewise, political discrepancies along with protest declaration by opposition party U-CPNL (moist) has definitely created an additional leg down in the market.

Selling spree has dragged down the scrip prices of most of the financial stocks that smashed the financial stocks loaded Sensitive index to plunged 1.93 points or 1.31 percent to 145.13. Blue chip scrip at Nepse consists 14 commercial banks, 37 finance companies, 15 development bank, 10 insurance companies and one each from hydropower and manufacturing companies. Likewise, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market was down 0.80 points to 55.26.

Commercial bank shed hefty of 9.02 points or 1.60 percent to 554.61, development bank lost 1.12 points or 0.17 percent to 646.68 while finance slipped 2.80 points to 614.51. Likewise, hydro plummets 3.38 points; however insurance heaved up slightly 0.23 points along with 5.88 points rise in others sectors. Among commercial scrip, NIC Bank (Rs. 754, -7.48%) fronted with the heavy decline along with slump in key banks as Standard Chartered (Rs. 3583, -Rs. 16), Nabil Bank (Rs. 2700, -Rs. 70), Bank of Kathmandu (Rs. 1515, -Rs. 45), Everest Bank (Rs. 1700, -Rs. 89) and so on. Likewise, execution of trade after book closure of Nepal Share markets Limited's Promoter share (Rs. 194, -71.17%), Merchant Finance (Rs. 431, -9.31%) dragged down finance sub index.

Merely 60 companies registered their presence in the secondary market with 13 gainers and 41 losers. The A-D ratio was maintained at 0.32. All in all 152527 shares traded today via 869 transactions. Moreover, Rs. 75312033 turnover was realized along with Rs.407538.89 million market capitalizations. Yesterday, 54727 units' shares traded via 738 transactions amounting Rs. 30385763 turnover along with Rs.412370.06 million market capitalizations. Today's increase in turnover along with down stock index shows that investors stampede to sell shares is at utmost ceiling.

The top five standouts of the day are GFL(4.26%), SBBL( 2.8%), RIBSL( 2.51%), NABBC( 2%), TBBL(1.93%). Whereas, NSMPO(-71.17%), MFCL( -9.83%), BLDBL( -8.77%), NICB( -7.48%), NHPC( -5.95%). comprised of the top five losers.

Bearish regime on tough hold

The downward spiral at home equity market carries on with a further slump on Wednesday making it total of sixth consecutive decline. The market retraction was triggered by almost all of the sectors fronted by banking and insurance stocks. The benchmark Nepse index plummets 5.40 points or 0.91 percent to close at 585.04, its lowest close for more than 28 months.

Today, the market characterized with selling pressure, falling prices, low turnover and feeble investor confidence, said Pramod Karki, an investor in the stock market. Declining stocks outpaced more than twofold the advancing ones with 15 gainers and 42 losers at three hours trade where volume came to thinner of Rs. 30385763 compared to Rs. 53209728 turnover at the same time Tuesday.

Dragged down in scrip prices of most of the financial stocks smashed the Sensitive index to 147.06, losing 1.41 points or 0.95 percent. 78 scrip Sensex consist, 14 commercial banks, 37 finance companies, 15 development bank, 10 insurance companies and one each from hydropower and manufacturing companies. However, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market was down 0.39 points to 56.06.

Commercial banks experience the huge selling pressure that led its index to topple 7.60 points or 1.33 percent to 563.63. Citizens Bank (O: 683, H: 670, L: 635, C: 635), Himalayan Bank (O: 1480, H: 1488, L: 1425, C: 1430) plummets along with key banking stocks asStandard Chartered (-Rs. 51), Nabil Bank (-Rs. 31), Nepal SBI (-Rs. 10) along with others. Finance dropped down 2.90 points to 617.31 and insurance slid 1.31 points to end at 606.07.

Dragged down in scrip price of Nepal Telecom (Rs. 535, -Rs. 5) led others index to subtract 11.75 points or 1.84 percent. However, development bank rose marginal of 0.59 points to 647.80 and hydro edge up 6.02 points on positive demand of Chilime Hydropower (O: 1060, H: 1075, L: 1060, C: 1075).

Merely 63 companies registered their presence in the secondary market maintaining A-D ratio at 0.36. All in all 54727 shares traded today via 738 transactions to Rs. 30385763 turnover along with Rs.412370.06 million market capitalizations.

The top five standouts of the day are MFCL(9.89%), BLDBL( 5.56%), GFL( 4.44%), PRFL( 3.7%), RBS(1.99%).Whereas, CZBIL(-7.03%), MDBL(-3.75%), AFL( -3.58%), HBL( -3.38%), GFLK( -3.34%). comprised of the top five losers.

Banking Blue Chips Demand on Spotlight

Nepal Stock Exchange slightly ticked to higher end on Wednesday, primarily led by banking scrip. The trading screen experienced pockets of green symbols for second day in a row after plunging down for previous five straight sessions. The modest scale of the day's surge suggested that investors are cautioned in demanding stocks from the market that has spent more time in reverse direction due to various weigh news. In a volatile session, the benchmark Nepse index settled at 599.50, yet below psychological level of 600, adding 0.70 points or 0.12 percent.
Declining stocks narrowly outpaced advancing ones with 26 gainers and 32 losers at three hours trade where volume came to lighter of Rs. 40159252 compared with Rs. 48828426 at the same time Monday. "Even though stock market endow with spurring gain after continuous tumble, it's not only complex but hoodwink to believe that market has got the opening start of the long rally on thinner trade like this" viewed market analyst.
Blue chips scrip from commercial banks as Standard Chartered (Rs. 3571, +Rs. 61), Nabil Bank (Rs. 2830, +Rs. 65), Bank of Kathmandu (Rs. 1605, +RS. 65), Everest Bank (Rs. 2206, +Rs. 6) along with other key banking stocks experienced higher share price to escort banking index to 584.29 putting on 4.54 points or 0.78 percent. Except BOK, named above banks has already declared dividends from the profit of fiscal year 2008/09. SCB declared 50% cash and 50% stock dividend, Nabil proposed 50% stock and 35% cash and EBL to give 30% stock and 30% cash dividend as a reward to shareholders from the profits.
Development bank index zoomed meager of 1.73 points or 0.27 percent to 653.51 on positive pricing of Pashupati Dev. Bank (Rs. 520, +5.05%), Sanima Dev. Bank (Rs. 570, +1.79%) along with others. However, hydro sector plummets hefty of 20.97 points or 2.51 percent to 813.59 triggered by downfall in price of Chilime Hydropower (Rs. 1023, -Rs. 57) and National Hydropower (Rs. 84, -Rs. 2). Finance declined 2 points to 626.43 along with 6.52 dropped down in insurance sector.
The puff up in demand of key commercial bank led domestic blue chip or sensitive index to close at 151.26 with surge of 0.71 points or 0.47 percent. 14 commercial banks, 37 finance companies, 15 development bank, 10 insurance companies and one each from hydropower and manufacturing companies are included in sensitive index. Similarly, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market rose 0.23 points to 57.40.
Total of 67 companies performed trade in secondary market for 68145 units via 852 transactions maintaining A-D ratio at 0.81. The market capitalization for the day stood at Rs.422563.1 millions up from previous session's Rs. 422068.29 millions.

Jamb Daily News Service

Nepse surge diminutive: yet feeble to boost stocks

Jamb Daily News Service
Nepal stock exchange ascends minuscule on Tuesday though volume was light after retreating for fifth session in a row. Investors stampede to demand for banking scrip escorted the sole secondary market to settle at positive note, yet underneath the psychological point 600. The benchmark index added 0.43 points or 0.07 percent to 598.80 at the closing bell after plunging to intra-day low of 597 and hitting high of 600.20.
"Even though the market surge after long downhill rally, the key stuff to boost the market is yet beyond the clouds. The rise occurred today was the natural phenomenon of stock market fluctuation but not through rational investor confidence".
Key banking scrip as Standard Chartered (Rs. 3150, +Rs. 9), Everest Bank (RS. 2200, +Rs. 30) along with basket of scrip rose to guide the commercial bank index to 579.75, adding 1.14 points or 0.20 percent. However, downswing in price of Nabil Bank (Rs. 2765, -Rs. 34), Bank of Kathmandu (Rs. 1540, -RS. 40) capped the banking gains. Likewise, hydro sector which consist of three companies heaved up 7.23 points or 0.87 percent on price augment of Butwal Power (Rs. 960, +RS. 8) and National hydropower (Rs. 86, +Rs. 1). However, development bank lost 2.55 points or (-0.39%) to 651.78 and finance slid 2.58 points to 628.41. The biggest losers from development bank was Business Development Bank (Rs. 265, -5.36%) and from finance sector Royal Mer. Banking and Fin topped the chart with 3.88 percent decline to Rs. 452. Insurance and others indexes remained unchanged compared to previous session.
The slight uptick in demand of key commercial bank led domestic blue chip or sensitive index to close at 150.55 adding 0.02 points or 0.01 percent. 14 commercial banks, 37 finance companies, 15 development bank, 10 insurance companies and one each from hydropower and manufacturing companies are included in sensitive index. Similarly, float Index an indicator of performance of ordinary shares in the market rose 0.03 points to 57.17.
Declining stocks narrowly outpaced advancing ones on the Nepal stock exchange where volume came to lighter of Rs. 48828426 compared with Rs. 172023758 at the same time Monday. Merely 63 companies registered their presence in the secondary market with 25 gainers and 26 losers. The A-D ratio was maintained at 0.96. All in all 78754 shares traded today via 821 transactions for Rs. 422068.29 million market capitalizations.
The top five standouts of the day are MFCL(6.79%), LUBL( 4.9%), LBL( 3.52%), KMBSL( 2.67%), MBL(1.89%). Whereas, NABILP(-26.73%),BDBL( -5.36%), RMBFI( -3.83%), PRFL( -3.7%), AEFL( -3.63%). comprised of the top five losers.

Longest nosedive yet for secondary market

Himalayan News Service
KATHMANDU: As expected, the books closing of financial institutions dragged Nepse down to the lowest yet in 2009.All key market propellors commercial banks, development banks, financial institutions and hydropower companies lost this week to pull Nepse by a whopping 55.61 points to 614.79 points from Sunday morning’s opening of 660.40 points.
The hotels sub-group that did not see its shares traded while manufacturing sub-group gained by 4.41 points to reach 438.35 points from Sunday morning’s opening of 433.94 points.
Unilever Nepal Ltd’s 10-unit shares that were traded at Rs 4,346 per unit making it dearer by Rs 85 per unit pushed up the manufacturing sub-group by 4.41 points.Unilever Nepal has recommended Rs 450 cash dividend Rs 400 normal dividend and Rs 50 as commemorative dividend on the occasion of the completion of its 15 years of commercial production in Nepal from the profit of the last fiscal year when it registered a RS 2625.8 million turnover. The company also posted Rs 444 million net profit (after tax). It registered Rs 482.29 Earning Per Share (EPS) and 64 per cent Return on Equity (RoE) in the fiscal year 2008-09.
Though the week started in the green, gaining 2.17 points to 662.57 points on Sunday, it plunged by a whopping 55.61 points during the week.
Currently, banks and financial instituions dominate the secondary market and two institutions Standard Chartered bank Nepal and Nabil Bank are dominant players in the movement of Nepse, putting the secondary market under ‘concentration’ risk. Nabil Bank’s books closing on Tuesday dragged Nepse down by 27.42 points but the bank topped the chart in terms of transaction amount with Rs 67.83 million. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal followed with Rs 58.42 million, and Bank of Kathmandu (with Rs 36.49 million), Standard Finance (with Rs 34.99 million) and Nepal SBI Bank (with Rs 18.36 million) managed to come in the top five slot, respectively. In terms of number of share units traded, Standard Finance topped the chart with 1,35,000-unit shares changing hands while in terms of number of transactions Citizens’ Bank International topped the chart with 407 transactions.
The transaction amount increased by 40.08 per cent to Rs 483.89 million against last week’s fall of 32.63 per cent. Group-A companies contributed 70.71 per cent as against last week’s 67.75 per cent whereas the 78-scrip sensitive index a barometer of Group-A companies lost a hefty 16.20 points to drop to 157.42 points.
The float index calculated on the basis of real transactions also slid down by 5.14 points to drop to 58.53 points from Sunday morning’s opening of 63.67 points.

Unilever dividend could not push Nepse up

Himalayan News Service
KATHMANDU: Cash dividends of Unilever Nepal Ltd could not spread cheer in the domestic market as the banking sub-group dragged Nepse down by 27.42 points today to 630.11 points.
The banking sub-group lost 47.2 points to drop to 626.31 points due to major banks, especially Nabil Bank, losing heavily. Due to books closure Nabil’s shares dropped by Rs 1,599 per unit or over 38 per cent, forcing Nepse to suspend its transaction.
Nabil’s 340-unit shares traded between Rs 2,652 and Rs 2,600. Yesterday, they closed at Rs 4,251 per unit.“This is a market price correction to reflect the dividend and bonus shares that Nabil has proposed following the delivery of an unprecedented profit of Rs 1.03 billion in the last fiscal year,” said Anil Shah, chief executive officer of Nabil Bank. Every investor, who owned shares of Nabil till that closing will receive 50 per cent bonus shares (one share for every two) and a cash dividend of 35 per cent (Rs 35 per share). “When the market opened this morning, it was known that those who purchased shares from today forward would not receive the bonus shares or cash dividend,” he said adding that therefore the market to a large extent adjusted the price of the shares.
He also promised to continue to deliver unprecedented shareholder value in the years ahead in order to protect blue chip investment in Nepse.Currently, banks and financial instituions dominate the secondary market and two institutions — Standard Chartered bank Nepal and Nabil Bank — with the highest share prices are playing a determining role in the movement of Nepse. “However, with the increase in the number of listed financial institutions and the depth of trading in the market this ‘concentration’ risk will diminish over time,” Shah hoped.
Meanwhile, Unilever Nepal Ltd’s 96th Board of Directors (BoD) meeting recommended Rs 450 cash dividend — Rs 400 normal dividend and Rs 50 as commemorative dividend on the occasion of completion of its 15 years of commercial production in Nepal — from the profit of the last fiscal year. The company had a turnover of Rs 2625.8 million in 2008-09. It has posted Rs 444 million net profit (after deducting tax).
Unilever’s BoD meeting at the company head office in Mumbai yesterday approved the audited annual accounts of the company for the fiscal year 2008-09. It also approved distibution of Rs 325 as Interim Dividend per share out of the cash dividend of Rs 450 per share post certification of the audited annual accounts for the fiscal year by statutory auditors.

Nabil, IMEFI book closure drags Nepse down

REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, With the book closure a cutoff date for transferring shares for the benefit of cash dividend and bonus shares of Nabil Bank and IME Financial Institution (IMEFI), Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index dipped by 27.42 points to close at 630.11 points on Tuesday.
The book closure of these two financial institutions further pulled down the benchmark index, already suffering due to rumor of possible arrival of promoters´ shares in the country´s sole secondary market.
“Investors rushed to sell off their shares of Nabil Bank and IMEFI, making investors shy away from buying those due to book closure from Tuesday,” Nanda Kishore Mundada, president of Nepal Stock Brokers´ Association, told myrepublica.com.
Nabil Bank has announced a cash dividend of Rs 35 per share cash and 50 percent bonus share, while the IMEFI has announced 20 percent bonus shares to its share holders.
With the announcement of book closure, the share price of Nabil Bank, a heavy weight in Banking group, saw its share price down by Rs 1,599 to close at Rs 2,652.
Banking group, which command significant influence in the secondary market, suffered a decline of a whopping 47.2 points to close at 626.31 points. The decline was contributed by the drop in share prices of major banks, including Nabil, Standard Chartered, Everest Bank and Bank of Kathmandu, during Tuesday´s trading.
Similarly, the sub-indices of Development Bank group and Hydropower group also lost 7.98 points and 0.68 points to close at 679.75 points and 862.91 respectively.
With the sharp fall in the share prices of major finance companies, including IMEFI, ICFC Bittiya Sanstha and Prudential Bittiya Sanstha, the sub-index of Finance Company group faced a decline of 6.79 points to close at 645.77 points. The Insurance group also saw its sub-index drop by 0.18 points to close at 628.84 points.
Total turnover at the end of Tuesday´s session reached Rs 6.89 million, with 121,578 units of shares and 62 scrips changing hands through 1,101 transactions. Total market capitalization stood at Rs 438.37 billion.

NEPSE drops 5.04 points

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 8 - After a two-day upswing, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped 5.04 points on Monday. The sensitive index also declined by 1.45 points.
All the sub-indices at NEPSE witnessed a fall on Monday. The development bank index was the biggest loser dropping 6.66 points followed by the banking and other sectors which decreased by 5.81 and 4.7 points respectively.
The share market witnessed a total turnover of Rs. 98.40 million with 120,667 shares being traded. Shares of 69 companies changed hands on NEPSE.
Among the 23 commercial banks listed on NEPSE, Nabil Bank's promoter share posted the biggest growth with its stock rising by 52 points. Similarly, among the 15 development banks whose shares were traded on NEPSE on Monday, Bageshwori Development Bank witnessed the highest increase of 10 points while Biratlaxmi Bikas Bank dropped 63 points.
Among the 25 finance companies on NEPSE, Kaski Finance was the highest gainer with an increase of 18 points in its share price. NIDC Capital Markets lost 37 points.
The top winner on NEPSE was World Merchant Bank with a 3.7 percent rise in its stock price.
The top loser on was Biratlaxmi Bikas Bank which shed 7.43 points. Nabil Bank topped the chart in terms of turnover with Rs. 25.43 million.

Banks drop in Non-Performing Loan

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 7 - The commercial banks are doing fine by and large in terms of reduction in their Non-Performing Loan (NPL) in the previous fiscal year, according to the central bank.
While 16 of the 25 banks witnessed a drop in their NPL, three saw it rising, states a recent report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
Financial institutions with NPL hovering below five percent are considered sound.
The NPL of Nabil, Machhapuchhre and Development Credit Bank Limited went up slightly but it is still manageable with Nabil having 0.8 percent at the lowest and Machhapuchhre with 2.8 percent at the highest.
The rise and fall of the NPL in case of Global Bank, Citizens Bank, Prime Bank, Sunrise Bank and Bank of Asia could not be assessed as they have not reported their their NPL status to the
central bank either in the last fiscal year or the previous year or both years.
NIC bank's NPL remained constant at 0.9 percent in both years.
NCC bank has been able to reduce its NPL significantly last year from 16.36 percent to 2.7 percent during the 12-month period.
Chief Executive Officer of NCC Bank Ratna Raj Bajracharya said recovery of loans from some major groups - including the N.B. group, which is also the promoter of the NCC bank - was the principal reason behind sharp decline in the NPL of NCC.
"The Harisiddhi Brick Factory owned by N.B Group itself had owed the bank five percent NPL," he said. "We acquired its lands as a part of recovery." The bank was to recover loans of Rs. 330 million from Harisiddhi.
The bank also acquired
the lands owned by Tribeni Distillery to recover around Rs. 60 million loans last year, Bajracharya said.
"We will reduce the NPL to one percent within the next six months," he said.
There are still five banks whose NPL level is higher than five percent: Nepal Bank Limited, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bangladesh Bank, Lumbini Bank and Agriculture Development Bank.
RBB CEO Janardan Acharya said they would reduce the NBL below five percent within
the next two years. The government owned bank has still 15.7 percent NPL which represents
Rs. 4.9 billion.
"We have plans to recover around Rs. 2.5 billion this year and recovery of the remaining amount in the next year," he said. The bank recovered Rs. 2.4 billion in the last fiscal year.NPL Change in TOp 20 Banks
2007/08 2008/09
Bank NPL (%) NPL (%)
NBL 8.05 5.9
RBB 21.63 15.7
Nabil 0.79 0.8
NIBL 1.12 0.8
StanChart 0.92 0.7
HBL 2.36 2.2
NSBI 3.65 2.0
NBBL 31.11 19.3
Everest 0.64 0.5
BoK 1.76 1.3
NCC 16.36 2.7
NIC 0.90 0.9
Lumbini 14.87 9.1
MBL 1.04 2.8
Kumari 1.35 0.4
Laxmi 0.13 0.1
Siddhartha 0.60 0.5
ADBL 10.40 8.8
DCBL 1.26 1.6
NMB 1.52 0.5

NEPSE starts week with gain

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 7 - The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) started the week on a promising note as it went up by 2.17 points on Sunday. The index settled at 662.57 points when trading closed. The sensitive index lost 0.23 point.
The NEPSE sub-indices saw a mixed reaction as only two of them increased while three witnessed a downfall.
The development bank sector was the highest gainer increasing by 5.14 points followed by the finance sector which went up by 2.73 points. Similarly, the insurance sector was the biggest loser on the floor as it shed 4.12 points followed by the hydropower sector and the banking sector which fell by 1 point and 0.37 point respectively.
Total transactions on NEPSE reached Rs. 117.46 million with 178,992 units of shares being traded. Shares of 69 companies changed hands on Sunday.
Among the 21 commercial banks whose shares were traded on NEPSE on Sunday, Standard Chartered Bank posted the biggest growth with the stock rising 45 points while Laxmi Bank lost the most on the trading floor by shedding 83 points.
Similarly, among the 13 development banks, Sanima Vikash Bank witnessed the highest increase of 15 points while Clean Energy Develop-ment Bank lost 14 points.
Among the 24 finance companies, Merchant Finance Company promoter share was the highest gainer with an increase of 138 points in its share price. Guheyshwori Merchant Bank and Finance was the biggest loser shedding 59 points.
The top five winners on NEPSE were IME Financial Institution with a 6.54 percent rise in its stock price followed by Shikhar Bittiya Sansthan, Nepal Investment Bank, Capital Merchant Banking and Finance and Standard Finance.
Similarly, the top five losers on Sunday were Guhyeshwori Merchant Bank and Finance which fell 9.9 percent followed by Laxmi Bank, Nepal Awas Bikas Beeta Sansthan, Siddhartha Bank and World Merchant Bank.
Nabil Bank topped the chart in terms of turnover with Rs. 26.92 million.