NEPSE along with approval from SEBON has paved the path for some major changes in how we trade stocks. The bylaws titled Securities Trading Operation (fourth amendment), 2082 introduces these new changes. These rules come in effect from today 20 April 2026.
So what changes are being introduced?
| Feature | Limit / Constraint |
|---|---|
| Individual Stock Daily Limit | Max ±15% of opening price |
| Continuous Session Price | Max ±3% of opening price |
| Pre-Open Order Price | Max ±5% of previous close |
| Market Halt (15 mins) | 5% Index change (first 2 hours) |
| Market Closure (Full Day) | 8% Index change (any time) |
Individual Stock Daily Limit
An important change that we can see is the fluctuation limit of individual stock. Now, the price of a single company can go up or down by 15%. Previously this was limited to 10%. This ceiling actually prevented the stock from going over or under by a large percent. The increase will allow larger price swings and we have yet to see how it will impact the market.
Circuit Breaker Ceilings
A circuit breaker is when the market goes on a halt for a certain time when fluctuations cross a certain limit. The new rules give better flexibility on this as well. Now, the NEPSE benchmark index can fluctuate by 5% within the first two hours of the trading session (11AM – 1PM). If it crosses this limit then the market is halted for 15 minutes. The ceiling limit for the market to be halted has been upgraded to 8%. So, if the index moves 8% in either direction, NEPSE will cease trading for the day.
Previously threshold for circuit breaker-
- 4% change halted market for 20 minutes.
- 5% change halted the market for 40 minutes.
- 6% movement means trading stopped for the day.
Continuous Session Price Limit
During continuous trading sessions the price limit to bid and sell shares has been set to maximum ±3% of opening price. So, buyers and sellers have a higher flexibility when bidding and putting out their scrips for sale.
Individual Stock Pre-Open Price Limit
In the pre-open session which happens for 15 minutes before 10:45AM to 11:00AM investors were able to buy and sell stocks at ±2% of the close price from yesterday. This limit has also been changed to 5%.