NEPSE falls 8.14 points, trading volume drops to NRs 3.91 billion

The stock market closed lower on Thursday, with the NEPSE index shedding 8.14 points, or 0.30%, to settle at 2,728.03.

Market activity also weakened, with daily turnover falling to NRs 3.91 billion from NRs 4.29 billion recorded on Wednesday. More than 9.23 million shares of 350 securities changed hands during the day.

Investor sentiment remained negative as share prices of 178 companies declined, while 82 advanced and 13 remained unchanged.

Among the 13 sectoral indices, only Hotels & Tourism and Manufacturing & Processing posted gains, rising 0.47% and 0.26%, respectively. The Finance sector led losses with a 1.45% drop, followed by Trading, which fell 1.23%.

Recently listed stocks dominated the gainers' list. Sopan Pharmaceuticals surged 15% to NRs 462.40 per share, while Apollo Hydropower climbed 14.97% to NRs 396.20, with both stocks hitting the positive circuit limit.

Saptakoshi Development Bank was the biggest loser, plunging 13.51% to NRs 877.90 per share. Rawa Energy and Reliance Finance also posted notable declines.

City Hotel topped the turnover chart with shares worth NRs 236.3 million traded, followed by Central Finance, Bungal Hydropower, People's Hydropower Company and Ankhu Khola Hydropower Company.