NEPSE Soar as Election Results Boost Investor Confidence

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a historic and turbulent trading session today, as investor euphoria over the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) landslide election victory triggered three consecutive circuit breakers, forcing a full day market suspension by noon.

The "Blue Wave" that swept the nation on March 5 has translated into a record breaking rally, with the index surging 6.0% (162.93 points) to close at 2,875.43. Market analysts attribute this indicates "bull run" to the political stability promised by the RSP's nearly two thirds majority in the House of Representatives, effectively ending years of fragile coalition governments.

The "Wagle Effect" and the New Guard

The rally is heavily fuelled by the expectation that Dr. Swarnim Wagle, the RSP Vice President and world renowned economist, will be named the next Finance Minister. Having won his seat in Tanahun -1 by a massive margin, Wagle is seen as the architect of a new "Productivity Led" economic era.

The public's shift toward the RSP follows years of political stagnation. Since the 2006 peace process, Nepal has seen 14 governments in 18 years. The 2026 election results signal a complete rejection of legacy parties, with 35 year old Balendra (Balen) Shah set to lead the government as Prime Minister, marking the first time a Gen-Z-led movement has taken the helm of the nation.

The RSP Manifesto: PayPal, Skrill, and Short Selling?

The RSP’s "Bacha Patra 2026" (Promise Letter) has set an ambitious agenda for the financial sector that investors are already pricing in:

• Legalizing International Gateways: In a major move for the IT sector and freelancers, the RSP has pledged the legalization of PayPal and Skrill in Nepal. This aims to bridge the gap in international payments, allowing the youth to bring foreign currency directly into the national economy.
• NEPSE Modernization: Beyond traditional trading, the manifesto promises to introduce Intraday Trading and Short Selling mechanisms. By upgrading the Automated Trading System (ATS) to support T+0 settlement, the party intends to bring NEPSE to international standards.