The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index declined marginally by 0.14 points Tuesday, July 8, to close at 2,683.86, following a 0.82 percent drop the previous day.

Prior to that, it had gained for six consecutive trading days.

Market activity also saw a notable dip, with daily turnover falling to Rs 6.57 billion, down from Rs 8.37 billion on Monday. 

The volume of shares traded, too, dropped to 15.02 million across 56,276 transactions. 19.4 million shares were exchanged in 71,313 transactions the previous day.

Among key sub-indices, the Sensitive Index inched up 0.04 points, the Sensitive Float Index edged up 0.05 points, while the Float Index declined 0.01 points.

Out of 248 companies traded, 133 posted gains while 115 declined.

Butwal Power Company Limited (BPCL) emerged as the day’s top gainer, rising by 8.21%. On the other hand, Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company Limited (RHPL) was the biggest loser, falling 5.08%.

Notably, 111 MW Rasuwagadhi was among the hydel projects affected by the flooded Bhotekoshi River, which flows from China through Rasuwagadhi, officials said.

Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) led the turnover chart with transactions worth Rs 516.72 million. Butwal Power Company Limited (BPCL) and Guardian Micro Life Insurance Limited (GMLI) followed, recording turnovers of Rs 416.99 million and Rs 413.99 million, respectively.

Of the 13 sectoral indices, seven closed in positive territory. The Finance Index posted the strongest gain, rising 1.25%, while the Others Index recorded the steepest loss, dropping 0.77%.

Total market capitalization at the end of the trading was Rs 4,471.71 billion, down from Rs 4,471.94 billion the previous day.