The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Index extended its losing streak on Thursday, 15 May, closing lower for the fifth straight session amid waning investor participation.
The benchmark index slipped by 8.41 points, or 0.32%, to end the trading day at 2,611.85 — its lowest close of the week. This decline followed losses of 0.45% on last Thursday, 0.47% on Sunday, 0.56% on Tuesday, and 0.53% on Wednesday. The market remained closed on Monday in observance of Buddha Jayanti.
Prior to last Thursday's decline, the index had gained 2.38% on Wednesday and edged up by 0.03% on Tuesday, breaking a five-session losing streak.
Investor participation also continued to weaken, with the daily turnover exceeding Rs 7.08 billion, a decrease from more than Rs 8.73 billion in the prior session.
Over 17.4 million shares changed hands through 78,493 transactions.
Market breadth remained negative, with 164 out of 247 traded stocks closing in the red. Only 82 stocks posted gains, while one remained unchanged.
All key sub-indices finished in negative territory — the Sensitive Index dropped 0.32%, the Float Index declined 0.38%, and the Sensitive Float Index fell 0.45%.
Among individual gainers, Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) led the charts, soaring by 9.99%. In contrast, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) recorded the steepest loss, plummeting 8.65%.
On the turnover leaderboard, Soaltee Hotel Limited (SHL) topped the list, followed by Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd (RADHI) and Universal Power Company Ltd (UPCL).
Of the 13 sectoral indices on Nepse, only three closed in positive territory. The Hotels and Tourism Index saw the biggest gain, rising by 4.91%. Meanwhile, the Development Bank Index suffered the sharpest fall, declining by 2.12%.
The market's total capitalisation edged down to approximately Rs 4.34 trillion, compared with Rs 4.35 trillion in the previous session.
