Market falls to six-month low as benchmark declines for seventh straight session

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined for the seventh consecutive trading session on Tuesday, slipping 24.63 points, or 0.94%, to close at 2,608.33 points, its lowest level in six months.

While the benchmark continued its downward trend, trading activity picked up momentum compared to previous day’s turnover, rising to NRs 3.25 billion from NRs 2.67 billion.

A total of 8.74 million shares of 365 listed securities were traded during the day.

The market remained broadly negative as share prices of 235 companies fell, while 35 advanced and five closed unchanged.

All 13 sectoral indices ended in the red. The Trading sub-index recorded the sharpest decline, dropping 1.74%, followed by losses across banking, development banking, finance, hydropower, hotels and tourism, manufacturing, insurance, microfinance and investment sectors.

Among individual stocks, Snow Rivers emerged as the top gainer, soaring 14.99% to NRs 454.20 per share. Corporate Development Bank also posted strong gains, rising 13.04% to NRs 1,899.

Conversely, Taksar Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower was the biggest loser, plunging 14.03% to NRs 596.30 per share, while Yambaling Hydropower fell 8.23% to NRs 636.50. Both stocks had been posting gains of nearly 15% since being listed on the secondary market recently.

Siddhartha Bank led the market in turnover, with shares worth NRs 133.9 million traded at NRs 387.10 per share, a marginal decline of 0.10% from Monday. Taksar Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower ranked second, recording transactions worth NRs 113.2 million.

The benchmark has now remained in negative territory for seven straight trading days, retreating to its lowest level since early January as selling pressure persisted across all sectors.