By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 29: This week the capital market witnessed the highest-ever volume of transaction in the stock exchange when the benchmark NEPSE index increased by 13.77 per cent by the end.

This week, the stock exchange traded 44944,110 unit shares worth Rs. 18.63 billion of 187 companies in 155,903 transactions. It had traded 25333,560 unit shares worth Rs. 11.21 billion last week.

The average daily turnover in the stock exchange increased to Rs. 3.72 billion this week from Rs. 2.24 billion in previous week.

The NEPSE index which opened at 1434.58 points on Sunday increased by 197. 6 points to close at 1632.18 points on Thursday, the last day of transaction in the week.

The NEPSE index has shown sustained growth in last couple of weeks. It increased by more than 300 points for in last one month.

The sensitive index which measures the performance of group ‘A’ companies also increased by 74.25 points (15.72 per cent) to close at 347.69 points.

The volume of transaction of all groups except trading and manufacturing and production recorded increasing trend this week.

Finance group recorded the highest increase of 288.12 per cent followed by commercial banks and others which increased by 164.69 per cent and 118.38 per cent respectively.

This week, sub-indices of all groups recorded increasing trend. Life insurance sub-index recorded the highest points increase of 1267.66 points, followed by manufacturing and non-life insurance group whose indices increased by 339.67 points and 246.18 points respectively.

Similarly, banking, development bank, others and microfinance group sub-indices increased by 237.42 points, 182.07 points, 79.66 points and 77.09 points respectively.

Likewise, sub-indices of trading, hydropower, hotels and finance groups increased by 57.30 points, 52.36 points, 46.60 points and 37.59 points respectively.

Nepal Life Insurance Company, NMB Bank, Himalayan Distillery, Shivam Cements and NIC Asia Bank became top companies on the basis of turnover this week.