NEPSE extends losses, slips 17.91 points amid broad-based decline

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its downward trend on Tuesday, the second trading day of the week, falling by 17.91 points to close at 2,807.31. This marks a 0.63 percent decline compared to the previous session.

The Sensitive Index also edged lower by 3.07 points to 470.63, reflecting a 0.65 percent drop.

Likewise, the float index and Sensitive Float Index both registered losses of 0.58 percent and 0.63 percent respectively.

Market activity remained relatively strong despite the downturn.

A total of 13,019,055 shares of 347 listed companies changed hands through 95,800 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 5.774 billion.

This was higher than Monday’s turnover of Rs 5.434 billion.

Out of the traded stocks, 48 companies posted gains, while 215 declined and six remained unchanged.

Sector-wise, losses dominated the market, with 12 out of 13 sub-indices closing in negative territory.

The only exception was the Hotel and Tourism group, which rose by 1.16 percent, extending its previous day’s gain of 1.01 percent.

Among major sectors, the Commercial Bank index slipped 0.45 percent, Finance dropped 1.09 percent, Hydropower fell 1.23 percent, Investment declined 0.60 percent, and Life Insurance eased 0.23 percent.

Other losses were recorded in Manufacturing and Processing (0.53 percent), Microfinance (0.49 percent), Mutual Funds (0.45 percent), Non-Life Insurance (0.86 percent), Trading (0.96 percent), and Others (1.27 percent). The Development Bank index remained flat.

In contrast, the Hotel and Tourism sector stood out as the sole gainer, continuing its upward momentum.

Individual stock movements were mixed. Suryakunda Hydro Electric Company and Palpa Cement Industries hit the positive circuit, delivering a 15 percent gain for investors. On the losing side, Dolti Power Company fell sharply by 8.71 percent.

In terms of turnover value, Solu Hydropower led the market with transactions worth Rs 370.7 million.

Meanwhile, National Hydropower Company topped the volume chart, with 777,373 shares traded during the session.

Its closing price was maintained at Rs 298 per unit, down from 938,127 shares traded in the previous session.