Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

Nepal's stock market closed higher for a second consecutive trading day on Thursday, with the NEPSE index gaining 8.78 points to settle at 2,661.71.

The benchmark index fluctuated throughout the session before ending in positive territory. Shares of banking, finance, life insurance, manufacturing and processing, and mutual fund companies led the gains, with the banking sub-index rising 2.04%, the highest among sectoral indices.

Share prices of 108 companies advanced, while 152 declined. Four companies - Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower, Kalanga Hydropower, Snow River Ltd., and Sanigad Hydropower - hit the daily upper trading limit.

Market turnover increased to Rs 4.11 billion, up from the previous session. Laxmi Sunrise Bank recorded the highest trading volume at Rs 412.3 million, followed by NIC Asia Bank Debentures at Rs 407.7 million and Reliance Spinning Mills at Rs 252.9 million.

Among the biggest losers, NIC Asia Bank's debenture fell 10.6%.