Kathmandu, July 17: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) posted its strongest single-day gain in recent weeks on Friday, surging 79.74 points, or 3.06 per cent, to close at 2,677.54, with all but one sector ending in positive territory.

Investor sentiment remained upbeat throughout the trading session as the Sensitive Index climbed 2.51 per cent and the Float Index gained 3.05 per cent. Of the 335 listed companies traded, 259 advanced, 13 declined, and two remained unchanged

Manufacturing and Processing led sectoral gains with a 4.60 per cent rise, followed by Hydropower (4.58 per cent), Investment (4.12 per cent), Hotels and Tourism (3.66 per cent) and Finance (3.39 per cent). The Trading sector posted the smallest gain at 0.83 per cent, while Mutual Funds slipped 0.29 per cent.

Market turnover reached Rs 4.58 billion, with 10.39 million shares changing hands through 58,094 transactions. Shreenagar Agritech Industries Ltd (SAIL) hit the 15 per cent positive circuit, while Suryakunda Hydro Electric Ltd (SKHEL) gained 14.83 per cent. One company touched the 15 per cent lower circuit.

The day's rally lifted the total market capitalisation to Rs 4.60 trillion, while float market capitalisation stood at Rs 1.55 trillion by the close of trading.