KATHMANDU, AUGUST 28

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped 38.10 points, or 1.35%, on Thursday to close at 2,781 points, reversing Wednesday's sharp gain of 53 points.

The Sensitive Index, which tracks class 'A' stocks, fell 1.18%, while the Float Index slipped 1.32%.

Sectoral performance was mostly negative, with all indices ending in red except Mutual Funds (-0.10%) and Non-Life Insurance (-0.01%). The Development Bank sector led the decline with a sharp 2.38% loss.

Despite the downward trend, market activity remained strong. Daily turnover rose to Rs 8 billion, up from Rs 7.68 billion on Wednesday, with 17.89 million shares of 322 companies changing hands across 78,379 transactions.

Out of all listed companies, 24 stocks advanced while 227 declined. Bikash Hydropower Company Limited (BHCL) was the only stock to hit the 10% upper circuit limit for the second consecutive day.

By market close, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4.647 trillion.