NEPSE Falls 0.57%

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index slipped 0.57% or 15.64 points on Wednesday, September 3, closing at 2,726.33. This followed a 0.72% decline on Tuesday.

Earlier in the week, the benchmark index had gained 0.43% on Monday, recovering partially from losses of 1.12% on Sunday and 1.35% last Thursday, which had followed three consecutive days of gains.

Despite the decline, market activity picked up. Turnover rose to Rs 4.72 billion from Rs 4.43 billion on Tuesday, with over 11.34 million shares changing hands in 68,594 transactions, compared to 10.53 million shares traded through 89,775 transactions a day earlier.

The Sensitive Index and Sensitive Float Index each shed 0.55%, while the Float Index fell 0.59%.

Out of 252 traded companies, only 39 advanced while 213 declined. Him Star Urja Company Limited (HIMSTAR) was the top gainer, surging 9.99% to Rs 323.60 per share, whereas Liberty Energy Company Limited (LEC) plunged 6.99% to Rs 218.73 per share.

Union Hydropower Limited (UNHPL) led the turnover chart with Rs 338.02 million, followed by LEC at Rs 273.79 million and Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) at Rs 261.58 million.

Among the 13 sectoral indices, only two closed higher: Mutual Fund (up 0.22%) and Trading (up 0.07%). Hotels & Tourism and Hydropower indices fell the most, down 0.93% each.

Overall market capitalization slipped to Rs 4,557.70 billion from Rs 4,583.84 billion the previous day.