The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index fell for the fifth consecutive trading day on Monday, slipping 9.98 points, or 0.38%, to close at 2,610.40.

The index had edged down 0.04% on Sunday, the week’s first trading day. Last week, it had declined by 0.30% on Wednesday, 0.57% on Tuesday, and 0.54% on Monday.

Investor participation also declined, with total turnover falling to just over Rs 7.63 billion—down from Rs 9.24 billion the previous day. 

Over 18.4 million shares were traded across 65,884 transactions.

Out of 246 listed companies, 86 gained, 159 declined, and one remained unchanged.

All major sub-indices closed in the red, with the Sensitive Index and Float Index each dropping 0.30%, while the Sensitive Float Index declined by 0.21%.

Three stocks—Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited (NMIC), Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) and Citizens Super 30 Mutual Fund (C30MF)—hit the upper circuit limits to top the gainers list. Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited (CREST) closely followed, climbing 9.99%.

On the losing side, Himalayan Power Partner Ltd. (HPPL), emerged as the biggest loser, plunging 9.99%.

Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd (RADHI) posted the highest turnover of the day, followed by Ngadi Group Power Ltd. (NGPL) and Sanima Mai Hydropower Ltd. (SHPC).

Among NEPSE’s 13 sector indices, only four ended higher. The Microfinance Index led with a 0.11% gain, while the Finance Index fell the most, down 0.97%.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at approximately Rs 4.34 trillion—marginally lower than the previous session's Rs 4.35 trillion.