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As bank interest rates continue to decline, insurance companies in Nepal have significantly increased their investments in the stock market, channeling over Rs 37bn into listed shares to diversify portfolios and maximize returns. This reflects a broader trend of seeking higher yields in a low-interest-rate environment, with insurers capitalizing on the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) to bolster profitability.

According to the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA), 24 listed insurance companies have invested
Rs 37.61bn in shares listed on the Nepse as of mid-April 2025, a sharp rise from Rs 16.51bn in mid-April 2024. The surge in investment is driven by the need to offset diminishing returns from traditional fixed-income instruments, such as bank deposits, which have become less lucrative due to declining interest rates.

Institutional investors, particularly insurance companies, play a pivotal role in stabilizing the stock market. Unlike individual investors, who often engage in short-term, speculative trading, institutions adopt a long-term investment approach. This strategy reduces panic-driven sell-offs, cushions market volatility and enhances liquidity. The steady capital inflows from insurers foster market resilience and boost confidence among individual investors. Insurance companies, as some of the largest institutional investors in Nepal’s capital market, are instrumental in driving this stability.

NIA regulations permit insurance companies to allocate up to 10 percent of their investable funds to shares of listed companies. Life insurance companies have been particularly aggressive, increasing their investments in ordinary shares by an impressive 108 percent over the past year. By mid-April 2025, life insurers had invested Rs 33.07bn in the secondary market, compared to Rs 4.54bn invested by non-life insurance companies. 

Experts attribute this shift to the sharp decline in interest rates, which has eroded returns on low-yielding bank deposits. With traditional investment avenues offering diminished profitability, insurers are increasingly turning to the stock market to maintain financial viability. This trend not only reflects adaptive financial strategies but also signals growing confidence in Nepal’s equity market.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 5. 21 points to close at 2, 674. 76 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 37 points to close at 456. 09 points.

A total of 17,160,625-unit shares of 337 companies were traded for Rs 7. 58 billion.

Meanwhile, Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GLBSL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 50 trillion.

The current account remained at a surplus of Rs 210.22 billion in the last nine months of the current fiscal year 2024/25 compared to a surplus of Rs 179.83 billion in the same period of the previous year.

In US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 1.55 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.35 billion in the same period last year.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its Review of the Monetary Policy of the Current Fiscal Year 2024/25.

The Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 346.23 billion in the nine months of the current Fiscal Year 2024/25 compared to a surplus of Rs 365.16 billion in the same period of the previous year.

In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 2.55 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of 2.75 billion in the same period of the previous year.

The NRB stated that in the review period, net capital transfer amounted to Rs 7.71 billion. In the same period of the previous year, such transfers amounted to Rs 4.78 billion. Similarly, in the review period, Rs 8.96 billion foreign direct investment (equity only) was received. In the same period of the previous year, foreign direct investment inflow (equity only) amounted to Rs 6.49 billion.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

Gross foreign exchange reserves increased 18.9 percent to Rs 2426.84 billion in mid-April 2025 from Rs 2041.10 billion in mid-July 2024. In the US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 15.4 percent to 17.63 billion in mid-April 2025 from 15.27 billion in mid-July 2024.

Of the total foreign exchange reserves, the reserves held by NRB increased 15.6 percent to Rs 2136.46 billion in mid-April 2025 from Rs 1848.55 billion in mid-July 2024. Reserves held by banks and financial institutions (except NRB) increased 50.8 percent to Rs 290.38 billion in mid-April 2025 from Rs 192.55 billion in mid-July 2024.

The share of Indian currency in total reserves stood at 20.4 percent in mid-April 2025.

Foreign Exchange Adequacy Indicators

Based on the imports of nine months of 2024/25, the foreign exchange reserves of the banking sector are sufficient to cover the prospective merchandise imports of 17.1 months, and merchandise and services imports of 14.2 months.

The ratio of reserves-to-GDP, reserves-to-imports and reserves-to-M2 stood at 39.7 percent, 118.7 percent and 32.8 percent respectively in mid-April 2025.

Such ratios were 35.8 percent, 108.6 percent and 29.3 percent respectively in mid-July 2024.

An action plan has been prepared to fully implement the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reforms Advisory Commission. The committee formed to develop and submit this action plan—chaired by former Finance Secretary Rameshore Prasad Khanal—has completed the report and submitted it to the Ministry of Finance.

The action plan outlines 408 activities to be carried out over the next three years. Khanal said the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has finalized the action plan based on the Commission’s recommendations, and it is now the government's responsibility to implement it accordingly.

The plan includes key reforms such as gradually narrowing the interest rate corridor through monetary policy, cutting government expenditure, reducing indirect tax rates, lowering production and business costs, formulating a strategy to foster an investment- and business-friendly environment, and increasing the eligibility age for the senior citizen allowance from 68 to 70 years.

It also emphasizes allocating budgets to well-prepared projects to ensure timely completion, reprioritizing ongoing initiatives, retaining employees on the same project throughout its duration, allocating sufficient resources for national pride and multi-year projects, and advancing new projects only if financial resources are secured.

The plan proposes liquidating state-owned enterprises such as the Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Butwal Yarn Factory, Nepal Engineering Consultancy Service Center, National Construction Company Nepal, and Nepal Orient Magnesite. Their immovable assets will be transferred to the government and managed accordingly. Additionally, the plan calls for restructuring Nepal Airlines Corporation within two years and appointing an external strategic partner for its professional management.

Other key measures include issuing infrastructure bonds for high-yield projects, maintaining integrated credit information for banks, financial institutions, and cooperatives, restructuring the Nepal Stock Exchange, and taking strict actions such as freezing the passports and assets of cooperative directors who embezzle funds or default on loans within six months.

A single-window system will be implemented for registering all types of companies. Business registration will be made free, a dedicated law will be introduced to regulate foreign investment, and policies on remote work, agricultural market regulation, and digital transformation will be introduced. Internal and external electricity transmission lines will be expanded to boost consumption, and a comprehensive ecosystem for the IT sector will be developed.

The plan also proposes formulating a long-term integrated infrastructure master plan and utilizing various climate finance instruments—such as carbon taxes and green finance—to enhance Nepal’s competitiveness in accessing international climate funding.

Following a decision by the Government of Nepal on April 15, the action plan was authorized to implement the recommendations of the Commission chaired by Khanal. While the report focuses primarily on economic reforms, it also includes sector-specific recommendations, which have been incorporated into the action plan.

Each concerned ministry will be responsible for implementing the activities within its jurisdiction by delegating tasks to subordinate departments, agencies, offices, or divisions. Ministries are expected to prepare clear, time-bound action plans with milestones and incorporate them into their annual programs. They must also submit detailed implementation plans to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The Prime Minister’s Office will oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the plan. In addition, facilitating ministries and agencies will be required to coordinate, support, and guide the execution of activities. Provincial and local governments will also have an equal role in ensuring the effective implementation of this action plan.