Kathmandu, Apr. 9: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its upward momentum on Thursday, rising by 48.71 points or 1.73 percent to close at 2,851.24 points.

The benchmark index had also gained around 45 points in the previous session, continuing the recent bullish trend.

In line with the government's new two-day weekend policy, NEPSE will now remain open on Fridays as well, shifting from its earlier Sunday–Thursday trading schedule.

Alongside the benchmark, the sensitive index increased by 0.97 percent, while the float index rose by 1.57 percent.

All sectoral indices ended in the green, with the 'Others' group posting the highest gain of 3.43 percent, followed by Manufacturing and Processing (2.58 percent) and Hotels and Tourism (2.39 percent).

Market turnover also improved, with transactions worth Rs 9.91 billion recorded from the trading of 27.93 million shares of 338 companies across 108,869 deals. This is up from Rs 8.31 billion recorded on Wednesday.

In terms of individual stock performance, 251 scrips advanced, while 16 declined and one remained unchanged.

Six companies hit the upper circuit limit of 10 percent, including Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Reliance Spinning Mills Limited, Bhujung Hydropower Limited, Ridge Line Energy Limited, Solu Hydropower Limited, and Hotel Forest Inn Limited.

By the end of the trading day, total market capitalisation stood at Rs 4.847 trillion.