Nepal Stock Exchange to Open Trading on Fridays, Sunday Declared Holiday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) has decided to operate share trading on Fridays as well, following the government’s decision to declare Sunday a public holiday to reduce petroleum consumption. A recent board meeting of NEPSE approved opening the market on Fridays to ensure five trading days per week. Under the new arrangement, the market will remain closed on Sundays, while trading will take place regularly on Fridays. According to NEPSE CEO Chudamani Chapagain, office hours on Fridays will extend until 5 PM, and trading activities will also be conducted on that day. This is not the first time NEPSE has opened on Fridays; a similar practice was implemented in 2022 when the government introduced a two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The recent cabinet decision aims to manage rising fuel consumption and pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and NEPSE’s move aligns with maintaining market activity and protecting investors’ interests.