Kathmandu, July 25 -- The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) extended its gains this week, with manufacturing, trading, and hydropower stocks driving the benchmark index higher. Turnover slightly dipped after last week's higher activity, which was fuelled by regulatory-driven debenture sales.

The benchmark index gained 57.06 points, or 2.13 percent, to close at 2,734.60 points on Thursday, compared with 2,677.54 points at the end of the previous week.

The Sensitive Index, which tracks Class 'A' stocks, rose 5.09 points, or 1.09 percent, to settle at 473.47 points. The Float Index increased 3.37 points, or 1.83 percent, to 187.40 points, while the Sensitive Float Index climbed 1.97 points, or 1.24 percent, to 160.53 points.

Reflecting the bro...