Ansu Group

Not so long ago, exchange rate arithmetic in Nepal was simple: one U.S. dollar hovered around 100 Nepalese rupees. The pegged exchange rate of 1 Indian rupee (INR) to 1.6 Nepalese rupees, brought a sense of calm to cross-border transactions and monetary planning. But those simpler days of predictability are now history. The Indian rupee, like much of the world’s currencies, has been grappling with the relentless rise of the U.S. dollar. The result: an all-time low for the INR, now trading at 86.5 to the dollar. For Nepal, whose rupee is tightly tethered to the Indian currency, every slip of the INR carries economic ripples. Read how a weaker Indian rupee causes dollar troubles for Nepal by clicking the link below https://lnkd.in/deAUd7ai

As the second-quarter filings trickle in from finance companies, Janaki Finance (JFL) has taken the grim distinction of being among the worst performers. The company reported horrific NPLs of 40.88% and a capital adequacy ratio of - 0.85%, which is an unmistakable red flag that insolvency may be just around the corner. The numbers evoke an unsettling déjà vu of Karnali Development Bank, a financial institution that faced a similar demise. Plagued by spiraling NPLs (exceeding 40%, according to Nepal Rastra Bank) and severe capital inadequacy, KRBL was barred from issuing new loans and deposits, halted trading on the NEPSE, and was ultimately placed under “conservatorship” by the central bank—a last-ditch attempt to stabilize the institution before its inevitable liquidation. To learn about how serious the situation is and what's next for the troubled finance company, read the article by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/dpgbSTej

Gold, over the past year, has weighed on both hearts and wallets with its astonishing rise. Whether you are a staunch investor or a New Road passerby eyeing its gold boutiques, a general query manifests: Why was gold’s value skyrocketing? Amid frail border tensions, uncertainty over U.S. elections, and the fragmented jabs of volatile interest rates, central banks in 2024 had found solace within the bullion. The metal had been the safest bet for emerging markets, offering steadiness amid fluctuating exchange rates and turbulent geopolitics. That propelled the metal to showcase its best yearly performance over a decade. As the yellow metal now sits above $2,700 an ounce, surging 28% in a year, it surely became a darling for investors worldwide. Read what finance's biggest players have forecasted for gold and if you should also invest in the precious metal in 2025. Article link below. https://lnkd.in/dH6KKC3V

NIC Asia Bank’s (NICA) second-quarter report offered little solace to investors hoping for a turnaround as the troubled bank once again delivered a grim performance. Net profits plunged a haunting 92.03% year-on-year to NPR 151.73 million, or NPR 2.04 per share. The bank’s earnings report revealed declines across all major revenue streams. Net interest income, the backbone of its business, slipped 6.4% to NPR 5.18 billion compared to the same period last year. Worse still, NICA’s asset quality remains a glaring concern. Gross non-performing loans (NPL) climbed to 4.61%, up from 4.24% in the prior quarter, signaling mounting pressure on the bank’s credit portfolio. A silver lining, if one can be found, lies in the improvement of net NPLs, which fell to 1.47% from 2.08%. Yet any optimism is tempered by its soaring impairment costs. Provisions for loan losses skyrocketed 391.6% year-on-year to NPR 2.35 billion, reflecting the bank’s intensifying struggle with delinquencies. We think NIC Asia's vulnerability to an economic downturn stems from overreliance on consumption loans. Read the article to understand the extent of the damage and what's next for the bank. Article link below. https://lnkd.in/dhx2GVEv

Union Hydropower (UNHPL) operates the 3 MW Midim Khola Hydropower Project in Lamjung District, and started commercial operations in late 2074. The project endured a 34-month delay, losing three tariff escalations and NPR 8.37 million in annual revenue until its license expires. Moreover, there is the issue of disruption due to transmission.⁠ ⁠ Despite these setbacks, UNHPL plans two new projects: the 60 MW Mathillo Tamor A and 28.9 MW Hongu Khola, both in advanced stages of feasibility and PPA approvals. A potential rights offering is on the table to finance the next growth phase.⁠ ⁠ Discover UNHPL's fair value and whether the stock should be on your watchlist by clicking the link below https://lnkd.in/d_ZseRkB⁠

The world is in debt of a massive $250 trillion. That’s a difficult number to grasp. And this mind-boggling amount keeps growing as nations become more entangled in the world’s financial web. But how do we untangle this expansive number and truly understand the severity for each country? Global debt isn’t just about government borrowing; it includes the debts of businesses and individuals, too. What started as lending crucial to economic growth has now snowballed into a major concern and is affecting lower and middle-income countries disproportionately. Read why global debt has accelerated recently and why that matters for countries like Nepal. Article link below. https://lnkd.in/da2-zypV

Just as the wheel revolutionized transport and the steam engine powered the industrial age, quantum computing promises to upend the limits of classical machines. Google’s latest quantum chip, Willow, is a bold step forward in computing’s most ambitious frontier. The beyond-super computer has the ability to process information in ways unimaginable to traditional computers and now moves the technology from theoretical curiosity to a contender for tackling some of the world’s most complex problems. Read the full article to understand how supercomputers work in layman's terms and why this breakthrough is significant—and could even surpass AI. Article link below. https://lnkd.in/dVyuJCNT

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Leaving your money parked in a savings account might feel like the sensible choice—safe, steady, and secure. But with inflation, it’s a bit like running on a treadmill: you’re sweating away but going nowhere, or worse, sliding backward.⁠ ⁠ According to Nepal Rastra Bank, year-on-year consumer price index (CPI) inflation hit 6.05% in mid-December 2024, up from 4.95% a year ago. Meanwhile, the average deposit rate offered by Class ‘A’ banks lags behind at just 4.78%. That discrepancy risks eroding your purchasing power.⁠ ⁠ What, then, should one do? Inflation-proofing your wealth requires a shift in strategy, and in this article, we’ve put together some favorites. Read the full article by clicking the link below. Link: https://lnkd.in/dDmQhVPv

Barun Hydropower Company (BARUN) runs the 4.5 MW Hewa Khola Small Hydropower Project, a run-of-the-river venture that began its operations in early 2068. But let’s face it—this project has faced many headaches ranging from hydrology problems to transmission hiccups. The real gut punch came in FY 2080/81, when floods knocked operations out for almost a year. With just 16.82 years of operational life remaining, these challenges risk slashing the project’s performance — and long-term profitability. ⁠ ⁠ Now, every disruption feels like a nail in the coffin for a project without water storage and entirely dependent on fluctuating river flows.⁠ ⁠ Can a project so vulnerable to unpredictable river flows turn its luck around? Tap the link below to find out. Here: https://lnkd.in/dS_Fc9Ah