Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index extended its losing run to a third consecutive session on Monday, slipping 12.26 points to close at 2,711.76.
The benchmark index had closed 4 points and 8.14 points lower on Friday and Thursday, respectively.
Although the benchmark index traded in positive territory during early trading, it reversed course after climbing to an intraday high of 2,729.53 and stayed in the red for most of the session. Some late buying toward the close helped the index pare some losses. However, it failed to push the index into the green.
Market breadth also reflected the bearish sentiment on the bourse, as unit prices of 188 stocks declined, 78 advanced and 12 were unchanged. Despite the decline in the benchmark index, trading activity improved slightly. Total turnover reached Rs 4.41 billion, with 10.73 million units traded through 51,702 transactions.
Among individual stocks, newly-listed Sopan Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Apollo Hyropower Ltd continued their bull run with the highest gain of 14.99%. On the other hand, Green Development Bank recorded the biggest loss of 7.94%. Likewise, Ankhukhola Jalvidyut Company Ltd topped the turnover chart with shares worth Rs 388.5 million traded. 10.25% NBBL Deventure 2085 and Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd followed with turnovers of Rs 270.45 million and Rs 228.88 million, respectively.
Except for the Manufacturing and Processing, which gained a marginal 0.11%, all trading groups ended the session in the red. The Others sub-index logged the biggest loss of 1.82%. Next were the Trading and the Finance sub-indices with losses of 1.42% and 1.26%, respectively.
