Banking stocks show resilience as Nepse struggles to recover

Banking stocks are showing signs of relative strength even as the broader stock market struggles to regain momentum. While the benchmark Nepse index has repeatedly faced resistance around 2,700, the banking sub-index has similarly struggled to break above 1,600. The two indices are therefore facing resistance at different levels, but their technical patterns suggest contrasting underlying trends.

Nepse has repeatedly failed to move decisively past 2,700 in recent weeks, while the banking index is testing the 1,600 threshold after over two years. The banking sub-index last stood above 1,600 on October 29. It returned to the 1,600 range this year but failed to sustain the momentum and subsequently retreated.

It has since struggled to break above the level, although it has also avoided a steep decline. On Wednesday, the sub-index fell 13 points to close at 1,588. Despite the pullback, brokers say banking stocks continue to attract investor interest, supported in part by improving financial results.