Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index fell 32.65 points, or 1.21%, to close at 2,657.50 points on Monday as selling pressure weighed on the market.
This was the second consecutive session in which the benchmark index closed in the red. The index had snapped a three-day gaining streak on Friday.
The index fell into negative territory shortly after trading began on Monday morning and remained there throughout the session despite brief recovery attempts. Market breadth remained negative, with share prices of 252 companies declining. Only 21 scrips advanced during the session, while six remained unchanged.
Total turnover stood at Rs 7.18 billion, with 19.82 million shares traded through 70,228 transactions.
Among individual stocks, Beni Hydropower Company Ltd logged the biggest gain of 13.58%. Makar Jitumaya Suri Hydropower Ltd and Mandakini Hydropower Ltd followed with gains of 8.77% and 5.47%, respectively. On the other hand, Sanima Large Cap Fund logged the biggest loss of 4.86%. Jhapa Energy Ltd and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd followed with losses of 4.11% and 4.08%, respectively.
Ghalemdi Hydropower Ltd topped the turnover chart with shares worth Rs 376.38 million traded. Global IME Bank Ltd and Kumari Bank Ltd followed with turnovers of Rs 294.25 million and Rs 279.12 million, respectively. Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd and Makar Jitumaya Suri Hydropower Ltd rounded out the top five, with turnovers of Rs 234.88 million and Rs 201.99 million, respectively.
The sub-indices of all trading groups closed in the red on Monday. The Development Bank sub-index posted the biggest loss of 1.88%. The Non-life Insurance and Others sub-indices followed with losses of 1.72% and 1.61%, respectively.
