KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 12.83 points on the first day of the New Year, closing at 2,620.92.

This 0.48 percent decline followed a midweek gain of 10 points. Total turnover for Thursday reached Rs 4.713 billion with over 100 million shares traded.

While the other group saw a marginal rise, all 12 other sub-indices, including banking and life insurance, ended in the red. Wean Nepal Microfinance hit a positive circuit of 10 percent, while Global IME Samunnat Yojana hit a negative circuit. SY Panel recorded the highest individual turnover of Rs 234.1 million.