NEPSE extends losing streak, drops 20 points as trading volume slumps

The benchmark index fell for a third consecutive session on Monday, while daily turnover declined by more than NRs 1.5 billion, signaling cautious investor sentiment across the market.

The stock market continued its downward trend on Monday, with NEPSE index falling 20.27 points to close at 2,735.14.

The benchmark remained under pressure throughout the trading session, extending its losses for a third straight day. Over the past three trading sessions, the index has shed a total of 45 points amid broad-based selling across the market.

Trading activity also weakened significantly. Total turnover stood at NRs 4.1 billion, down from NRs 5.62 billion in the previous session, reflecting a decline of more than NRs 1.5 billion in daily transactions. Investors traded 9.24 million shares of 356 listed securities during the day.

Market breadth remained firmly negative, with 221 companies posting losses, 43 registering gains, and six closing unchanged.

Kalinchowk Hydropower led the gainers, climbing 14.99%, while Crest Micro Life Insurance advanced 13.11%. On the downside, Upakar Laghubitta Financial Institution recorded the steepest decline, falling 7.14%, followed by Sayapatri Hydropower, which dropped 6.01%.

Central Finance emerged as the most actively traded stock, with transactions worth NRs 204.6 million. Laxmi Bank Debenture ranked second, generating turnover of NRs 171.7 million.

Sector performance was largely negative. Finance was the only index to finish in positive territory, edging up 0.26%. The Trading Index posted the sharpest decline at 1.77%, while banking, hydropower, insurance, development banks, and hotel and tourism sectors also ended lower.

The decline in both the benchmark index and turnover suggests investors remain cautious, with selling pressure continuing to outweigh buying interest in the market.