KATHMANDU: Out of 19 commercial banks listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), the share prices of eight banks have fallen below Rs 200. According to NEPSE, these banks include Kumari Bank, Prabhu Bank, Nepal Investment Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Citizens Bank, Global IME Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank, and Himalayan Bank. Among these, Kumari Bank has the lowest share price, which stood at NPR 153 on July 15.

Conversely, Standard Chartered Bank has the highest share price at Rs 583.8, followed by Everest Bank at Rs 602.

Despite the low share prices of these commercial banks, they have not attracted investors. Recently, investors have shown interest in companies with a lower number of shares. Experts attribute the lack of interest in commercial bank shares to their high share volume and poor financial statements.

The latest third-quarter financial statements reveal that the distributable profit of 10 banks is negative, and eight banks did not pay dividends from the profits of the last fiscal year 2079/80. Many banks are unable to provide returns to their shareholders.

Experts suggest that the inability to increase business following mergers has contributed to the decline in commercial banks' share prices. However, some investors believe that this period presents a good opportunity for investment.