KATHMANDU, Jan. 17 -- Trading began on a positive note on Thursday as the benchmark Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index shot up by more than 18 points. However, the market pulled back marginally within the first trading hour but still managed to stay in the green territory. After trading at around 1,300-point level for more than an hour, a final surge witnessed in the secondary market pushed the Nepse index 26 points higher at 1,310.23 points.

The index closed firmly above the crucial 1,300-point mark to climb to a seven-month high. The bourse continued to see significant strength on the back of heavy traded volumes in the recent sessions. Market activity also increased as reflected by turnover of Rs. 1.69 billion.

Majority of the sector...