NEPSE falls 9.62 points as trading turnover declines

The stock market fell for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, with the NEPSE index declining 9.62 points to close at 2,603.71. 

Trading activity also weakened. Total turnover stood at NRs 4.65 billion, down from NRs 5.38 billion on Monday. A total of 363 securities were traded, with 110.69 million shares changing hands.

Market breadth remained negative, with 199 companies recording losses, while 69 gained and 10 remained unchanged.

Of the 13 sectoral indices, 11 declined, while the non-life insurance and other sectors posted gains. The trading sector recorded the steepest decline, falling 1.87%. Banking fell 0.13%, development banks 0.45%, finance 0.32%, hotels and tourism 0.65%, hydropower 0.52%, investment 0.22%, life insurance 0.37%, manufacturing and processing 0.50%, and microfinance 0.55%.

Among individual stocks, Sayapatri Hydropower gained the most, rising 6.79% to NRs 535 per share. Sarbottam Paints, Hathway Investment Nepal, which posted heavy losses on Monday, and Menchhiyam Hydropower also posted notable gains.

On the losing side, Dhaulagiri Laghubitta declined 4.23%, the largest drop among regular stocks. Apollo Hydropower fell 4.14%, Shikhar Power 4.08%, Mandoo Hydropower 3.72% and Kalinchowk Darshan 3.01%.

Himalayan Distillery recorded the highest turnover at NRs 229.9 million, with its share price falling 1.97% to NRs 1,297. Shivam Cement followed with turnover of NRs 172.5 million, while Siddhartha Bank and Garima Bikas Bank recorded turnovers of NRs 165 million and NRs 150 million, respectively.

The market had fallen 16.47 points on Monday, marking two consecutive sessions of decline.