NEPSE Retreats After Flat Session

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined by 0.46 percent, or 12.58 points, to close at 2,683.15 on Tuesday, February 3, extending recent volatility after the market had traded largely flat and closed marginally higher the previous day.

The benchmark index had fallen by 0.73 percent on Sunday before inching up 0.05 percent on Monday.

Market activity improved on Tuesday, with daily turnover rising to Rs 8.63 billion from Rs 8.22 billion a day earlier. More than 18.7 million shares were traded through 92,338 transactions, compared to over 17.5 million shares exchanged in 91,061 transactions in the previous session.

Market breadth remained negative, with 190 securities closing lower, 66 advancing and three remaining unchanged.

All major sub-indices ended in the red, with the Float Index and the Sensitive Index each falling by 0.53 percent, while the Sensitive Float Index declined by 0.57 percent.

Kalinchowk Darshan Limited (KDL) emerged as the top gainer of the session after hitting the upper circuit limit, followed by HLI Large Cap Fund (HLICF), which gained 9.95 percent. Sanvi Energy Limited (SANVI) recorded the steepest loss of the day, shedding 4.63 percent.

In terms of turnover, SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL) led the market with transactions worth Rs 592.90 million, followed by Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Ltd (AKJCL) and Union Hydropower Limited (UNHPL).

Sector-wise, 10 of the 13 sectoral indices closed lower. The hotel and tourism index was the best performer, rising by 1.79 percent after gaining 1.77 percent in the previous session. The mutual fund index followed with a 1 percent increase, while the manufacturing and processing index rose by 0.37 percent.

The finance index recorded the sharpest decline, falling by 1.09 percent, while the non-life insurance index posted the smallest loss, slipping by 0.35 percent.

Reflecting the broader market weakness, total market capitalisation declined to Rs 4,505.07 billion on Tuesday from Rs 4,526.20 billion on Monday.