Failing to sustain previous session’s gains, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined 21.63 points, or 0.79%, to close at 2,714.85 on Sunday, March 16.
Last Wednesday, March 12, a modest 0.63% rise brought an end to a seven-session losing streak that wiped out 171.06 points. Before the downturn, the market had enjoyed a nine-day rally, accumulating 211.78 points.
The market remained closed on Thursday due to the Holi festival holiday. During Sunday’ intraday trading, the index had dipped below 2,700-mark.
Trading volume continued to dwindle at the start of the new trading week, with daily turnover dropping to Rs 6.83 billion—down from over Rs 8.23 billion in the previous session. More than 13.9 million shares changed hands across 79,031 transactions, reflecting lower investor participation.
All three major indices closed in the red. The Sensitive Index declined by 0.89%, the Float Index fell 1.11%, and the Sensitive Float Index dropped 0.94%.
Among individual stocks, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SLBSL) led the gainers, surging 8.19%, while Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) suffered the steepest loss, plunging 7.91%.
Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL) recorded the highest turnover, followed by Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Ltd. (MLBL) and Ghalemdi Hydro Limited (GHL).
Of the 13 sectoral indices, only the Trading Index managed to stay in positive territory, rising 4.92%. On the other hand, the Development Bank Index recorded the largest decline, dropping 2.25%.
