KATHMANDU: Following the budget announcement, the NEPSE index rose by 1.60 points to settle at 2,694, with trading volume increasing to NPR 9.22 billion from NPR 8.58 billion the previous day.

Among companies, 115 saw share prices rise while 133 declined. The Hotel & Tourism and Investment sectors led gains, rising 2.39% and 2.28% respectively, driven by budget incentives such as income tax exemptions for hotels and facilitation for investments in prioritized industries.

Development Banks, Finance, and Life Insurance sectors recorded modest gains, while Banking, Hydropower, Manufacturing, Microfinance, Non-life Insurance, and Trade sectors faced declines.

Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals and Pure Energy shares surged 10%, with Saptakoshi Development Bank, Nyadi Hydropower, and Corporate Development Bank also posting notable increases.

Conversely, Bhugol Energy, Bottlers Nepal Balaju, and BIN Nepal Microfinance experienced share price drops.

On the first trading day after the budget for fiscal year 2082/83 was unveiled, NEPSE rose by 2.77 points to 2,695.84, with 22 million shares traded worth around NPR 2.22 billion.

Banking, Development Banks, Hotel & Tourism, Hydropower, Manufacturing, and Microfinance sub-indices showed negative movements.