KATHMANDU: On Sunday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index plunged by 63.73 points to close at 2,858, breaking below its established support zone of 2,780 to 2,900.

The index briefly touched a low of 2,857 during the final 15 minutes of trading, marking the day’s lowest level amid absent weighted average price calculations.

Market turnover declined sharply to Rs 13.07 billion from Rs 15.98 billion the previous day, reflecting reduced investor activity.

Among the stocks traded, only 16 posted gains while a significant 233 registered losses, highlighting widespread selling pressure.

All sectoral indices ended in negative territory. The ‘Others’ sector bore the brunt with a 3.48% fall, followed by Microfinance (-3.05%), Banking (-2.27%), Life Insurance (-2.16%), Investment (-2.19%), and Manufacturing (-2.44%).

Other sectors including Development Banks, Finance, Hotels & Tourism, Hydropower, Non-life Insurance, and Trading also recorded declines ranging between 1% to 2.5%.

On the upside, Trade Tower and Shivashree Hydropower surged by 10%, with Trade Tower’s share price reaching Rs 1,148. Three Star Hydropower (+4.55%), Narayani Development Bank (+3.86%), and Lumbini Development Bank (+2.50%) also saw price gains.

In contrast, Sanvi Energy plunged 10% to Rs 802.40, hitting the negative circuit. Other major decliners included Samata Gharelu Microfinance (-9.96%), Green Ventures (-5.77%), Sikles Hydropower (-5.58%), and Unnati Sahakarya Microfinance (-5.52%).

Leading the trading volume were Nepal Reinsurance, Himalayan Reinsurance, Himalayan Distillery, Shivam Cement, and Ngadi Group Power.