Kathmandu: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed higher on Thursday, gaining 16.38 points or 0.59 percent to settle at 2,758.49 points, supported by strong buying pressure during the final trading hours.

According to market data, the market remained positive throughout the trading session, while intense buying pressure toward the closing period pushed the benchmark index even higher.The secondary market recorded a total turnover of Rs. 4.49 billion during the day. A total of 10.88 million shares were traded through 54,497 transactions involving 336 listed companies.

Out of the traded companies, share prices of 203 companies advanced, while 57 declined and 8 remained unchanged, indicating broad-based investor optimism in the market.The total market capitalization reached Rs. 4.70 trillion, while the float market capitalization stood at Rs. 1.57 trillion.

Among individual stocks, CREST (Crest Micro Life Insurance Ltd.) emerged as the top gainer of the day. The company’s share price jumped by 14.81 percent, gaining 170 points to close at Rs. 1,318.

Meanwhile, NICBF (NIC Asia Balanced Fund), a closed end mutual fund, was recorded as the top loser of the session. Its unit price declined by 2.59 percent or 0.25 points to close at Rs. 9.40.

In terms of market activity, AKJCL (Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Ltd.) recorded the highest turnover of the day at Rs. 439.58 million. The company also led in trading volume with 1.12 million shares exchanged.

Similarly, PCIL (Palpa Cement Industries Limited) registered the highest number of transactions, recording 1,969 trades during the session.

Among sectors, the Hydropower sector emerged as the strongest performer of the day with a 1.29 percent gain, while the Trading sector was the only loser, declining by 0.42 percent.

Market observers say the rise in turnover and strong late session buying reflect growing investor confidence in Nepal’s stock market.