The share market posted a modest gain on Tuesday, with an improvement also seen in trading volume. The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose by 4.90 points to close at 2,639.91 points.

Except for the banking, finance, hotel and tourism, life insurance, manufacturing and processing, and microfinance sub-indices, other sectors contributed to the market’s upward movement. The hydropower sub-index recorded the highest gain, rising by 1.02 percent, indicating growing investor interest in hydropower stocks.

Share prices of 118 companies increased, with hydropower companies dominating the top gainers. Threestar Hydropower hit the positive circuit, while Dordi Khola Hydropower and Super Madi Hydropower rose by 9.38 percent and 9.07 percent, respectively.

On the downside, share prices of 134 companies declined, while 8 companies remained unchanged. Among the losers, investors in Rasuwagadhi Hydropower, whose share price fell by 6.09 percent, incurred the highest losses.

Total turnover for the day stood at Rs 6.99 billion. Radhi Bidyut Company recorded the highest trading volume, with shares worth Rs 546.5 million changing hands.

Similarly, shares worth Rs 348.1 million of SY Panel Nepal and Rs 281.3 million of Butwal Power Company were traded.

On the previous trading day, Monday, the NEPSE index had declined by 5.54 points to settle at 2,635 points, with total turnover of Rs 6.47 billion. SY Panel Nepal ranked first and Radhi Bidyut Company second in terms of trading volume on that day.