Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index extended its losing streak for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday.
The benchmark index dropped by 17.01 points, or 0.60%, to close trading at 2,787.15 points. With this decline, the index slipped below the psychological support level of 2,800 points for the first time since March 7.
Trading began on a relatively positive note, with the index hitting an intraday high of 2,817.09 points. However, the market soon reversed course and remained in negative territory for most of the session. It touched an intraday low of around 2,780.3 points towards the closing hours before late buying helped trim some losses.
Market breadth remained heavily skewed towards losers, as unit prices of 216 stocks declined, 46 gained and seven remained unchanged.
Turnover also fell compared to the previous session, with shares worth Rs 5.09 billion traded. A total of 11.37 million units changed hands through 93,907 transactions on Thursday.
Reliance Spinning Mills Ltd topped the turnover chart with Rs 304.25 million worth of shares traded. Solu Hydropower Ltd and Ankhukhola Jalavidyut Company Ltd were next with total transactions worth Rs 260.75 million and Rs 260.57 million, respectively.
Among sector indices, three posted nominal gains, while the remaining 10 ended the session in the red. Manufacturing & Processing posted the biggest gain of 0.6%, while Hotels & Tourism sub-index suffered the biggest loss of 1.42%.
Despite minor recovery attempts in the closing minutes, the overall sentiment on the bourse remained bearish, as investors showed caution amid continued market volatility.
