Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index extended its losing streak to a sixth consecutive session on Monday, the first trading day of the week, as it dropped 16.54 points to close at 2,632.96.
The decline marks the benchmark’s lowest closing level since February 23, when it had settled at 2,616.97. The latest slide also equals the market’s longest losing streak since early December, when the bourse had snapped a six-day downturn on December 9.
Although the index posted nominal gains initially, it lost momentum and fell into the red. The index remained in the negative territory throughout the remainder of the session.
Market sentiment was broadly negative, with 240 stocks declining during the session, compared to just 29 gainers, while six stocks remained unchanged. Total turnover fell to Rs 2.67 billion with 7.69 million units traded through 44,942 transactions.
Trading activity, however, remained robust. Total turnover stood at Rs 2.67 billion, with 7.69 million shares traded across 351 listed companies through 44,942 transactions.
Among individual stocks, as many as three hydropower scrips listed recently hit the 15% positive circuit on Monday. On the other hand, Swabhimaan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd posted the biggest loss of 5.83%. Meanwhile, Global IME Bank Ltd topped the turnover chart with total transactions worth Rs 88.36 million. Next were Sopan Pharmaceuticals Ltd and NRN Infrastructure and Development with total turnovers of Rs 88.03 million and Rs 87.02 million, respectively.
All 13 trading groups ended the session in the red. Non-life Insurance sub-index posted the biggest loss of 1.39%. Next were Hotels & Tourism and Manufacturing & Processing sub-indices, each down by 1.14%.
