Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) extended its downturn for the fifth consecutive session on Sunday, shedding 21.48 points to close at 2,609.69 points.
The benchmark index has been sliding steadily since November 30, when the market capped a five-day winning run.
Over the past five sessions, Nepse has lost a total of 66.34 points.
Although the market opened on a positive note and climbed to an intra-day high of 2,636.7 points, it failed to maintain the momentum. Selling pressure eventually dragged the index 0.81% lower.
Despite the decline, overall market activity improved. Total turnover inched up to Rs 5.33 billion, with 10.71 million shares traded through 89,731 transactions.
Prices of 204 listed companies fell during the session, while only 46 advanced and eight remained unchanged.
Newly-listed Sagar Distillery led the turnover chart, with Rs 436.95 million worth of shares traded. Ngadi Group Power Ltd and Bandipur Cable Car & Tourism followed with turnovers of Rs 325.24 million and Rs 154.86 million, respectively.
All trading groups closed the session in the red. The Hydropower sub-index recorded the steepest decline at 1.22%. Trading and Hotels & Tourism sub-indices were next with losses of 1.21% and 1.2%, respectively.
