The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, March 19, declining 14.88 points, or 0.55%, to close at 2,682.15.

The index had declined 0.28% in the previous session, 0.37% on Monday, and 0.79% on Sunday. Last Wednesday saw a brief respite when the index rose 0.63%, snapping a seven-day losing streak that had erased 171.06 points. The downturn followed a nine-day rally that had lifted the market by 211.78 points.

Trading activity, however,  picked up, with turnover exceeding Rs 5.14 billion from over Rs 4.34 billion in the previous session. 

More than 9.5 million shares changed hands across 54,622 transactions.

All three major indices closed lower. The Sensitive Index fell 0.65%, the Float Index dropped 0.62%, and the Sensitive Float Index declined 0.63%.

Among individual stocks, Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) was the top gainer, rising 9.39%, while Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SLBSL) posted the largest loss, falling 9.20%.

Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL) recorded the highest turnover, followed by NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN) and Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC).

Of the 13 sectoral indices, three ended in positive territory. The Trading Index saw the largest gain, rising 0.60%, while the Finance Index suffered the steepest decline, down 1.53%.