Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index closed 12.58 points lower at 2,683.15 points on Monday as selling pressure dominated most sectors.
Although the benchmark index initially posted gains, surpassing the psychological support level of 2,700 points to hit an intraday high of 2,709.9 points, it soon slipped into the red zone and ultimately closed 0.46% lower.
Nepse had posted a nominal gain of 1.53 points on Monday.
Despite the decline, turnover improved slightly to Rs 8.63 billion with 18.7 million units traded through 92,338 transactions.
Unit prices of 190 scrips declined during the session, while 66 advanced and three remained unchanged.
SY Panel topped the turnover chart with Rs 592.9 million worth of shares traded. Ankhu Khola Jalavidyut Company Ltd and Union Hydropower Ltd were next with turnovers of Rs 410.04 million and shares worth Rs 322.22 million traded.
Among sectoral indices, three posted gains, while the remaining logged losses. Hotels & Tourism sub-index posted the biggest gain of 1.79%, while the largest loss came from the finance sub-index, which went down 1.09%.
