KATHMANDU: Nepal’s stock market declined for a fourth consecutive trading session of the week on Thursday, with the benchmark Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index slipping 13.82 points to close at 2,654.15 amid broad-based selling pressure.

The Sensitive Index dropped 2.62 points, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index fell by 1.03 points and 0.91 points, respectively.

A total of 10.8 million shares of 347 listed companies changed hands through 60,381 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 4.62 billion. Although the benchmark index ended lower, trading volume increased from Wednesday’s Rs 4.40 billion.

Market breadth remained weak, with share prices of 202 companies declining, while only 64 companies posted gains.

Among the 13 sectoral indices, only the Trading sub-index advanced, rising 0.59%. The Manufacturing and Processing sector recorded the steepest decline, shedding 93.04 points.

In terms of turnover, Ridi Power Company led the market with shares worth Rs 472.4 million traded. Ankhu Khola Hydropower followed with transactions exceeding Rs 265 million, while Solu Hydropower recorded trades worth more than Rs 235 million.

Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower emerged as the day’s top gainer, hitting the positive circuit limit. Its share price climbed by Rs 53.10 to close at Rs 407.20. All other gainers posted increases of less than 5%.

On the losing side, the unit price of LS Horizon 12 fell the most, declining 6.50% during the session.