KATHMANDU: The index of the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) declined by 26.07 points on Monday, closing at 2798 points as market activity and turnover also fell. Daily trading volume dropped to Rs 11.97 billion from Rs 14.35 billion recorded the previous trading day.

Share prices of 48 companies increased, while 211 declined and four remained unchanged. Among sectoral indices, only the Manufacturing and Processing group posted a gain of 0.25 percent, while all other sectors ended in negative territory.

The banking sector fell by 1.61 percent, development banks by 0.84 percent, finance by 0.71 percent, hotels and tourism by 0.26 percent, investment by 1.52 percent, life insurance by 0.94 percent, microfinance by 0.75 percent, non-life insurance by 0.45 percent, others by 1.09 percent, and the trading group by 0.21 percent.

Five companies recorded the maximum 10 percent rise in share prices, including Reliance Spinning Mills, Salpa Bikas Bank, Upper Hewakhola Hydropower, Solu Hydropower, and Hotel Forest Inn.

Similarly, Peoples Hydropower rose by 6.51 percent, Sindhu Bikash Bank by 6.33 percent, and National Hydropower Company by 5.36 percent. On the losing side, Narayani Development Bank declined the most, by 4.18 percent, followed by Greenlife Hydropower with a drop of 3.98 percent.

The companies recording the highest turnover during the session included Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company, National Hydropower Company, Upper Hewakhola Hydropower, SY Panel Nepal, and Ridi Power Company.