KATHMANDU: Nepal’s stock market saw a decline in both the NEPSE index and overall trading volume on Tuesday. The NEPSE index dropped by 3.90 points to close at 2,654.

According to the NEPSE, the microfinance sector showed notable growth, rising by 1.10%, followed by hydropower with a 0.27% increase and the trading sector with a 0.11% rise. However, all other sectoral indices fell. Banking declined by 0.45%, development banks by 0.20%, finance by 0.49%, hotels and tourism by 1.58%, investment by 0.43%, life insurance by 0.47%, manufacturing and processing by 0.14%, non-life insurance by 0.25%, and others by 0.15%.

Among the top gainers, Pure Energy surged by 10%, Butwal Power increased by 7.73%, Community Microfinance rose by 7.13%, Upper Hewakhola Hydropower climbed 5.28%, and Bindhyabasini Hydropower gained 5.16%.

On the other hand, Guardian Micro Life Insurance dropped by 4.62%, Narayani Development Bank by 3.94%, Sindhu Development Bank by 3.77%, and Crest Micro Life Insurance by 3.21%.

Sanima Mai Hydropower recorded the highest trading volume of the day, with transactions worth NPR 749.6 million, followed by Butwal Power with NPR 603.8 million. Ngadi Group Power, Radhi Bidyut, and Soaltee Hotel were also among the most actively traded companies.

Out of the 13 sectoral indices, only the hydropower, microfinance, and trading sectors ended the day in positive territory, while all others declined.