Kathmandu: Nepal Stock Exchange witnessed sluggish trading activity on Monday with daily turnover plunging to its lowest level in nearly two years despite only a marginal decline in the benchmark index.

The total transaction amount stood at Rs 2.45 billion during the four hour trading session, marking the lowest daily turnover since May 7, 2024 (Baisakh 24, 2081 BS). The decline highlights weakening investor participation and reduced market momentum in recent weeks.

Although the market remained open for the full trading session, turnover remained exceptionally low compared to previous highs. Nepal’s stock market had once recorded daily transactions of nearly Rs 29.95 billion during peak bullish momentum.

Previously, the market had fallen as low as Rs. 550 million in turnover on Falgun 25 but trading that day was shortened due to circuit breakers triggered by sharp market fluctuations.

The benchmark NEPSE index slipped by 1.03 points to close at 2,730.

Among traded companies, share prices of 119 firms advanced while 132 declined, and 18 remained unchanged.

Sector wise, banking rose by 0.14 percent, development banks by 0.03 percent, hydropower by 0.16 percent, investment by 0.09 percent, and the “others” group by 0.31 percent.

However, several sectors closed in negative territory. Finance declined by 0.01 percent, hotels and tourism by 0.23 percent, life insurance by 0.07 percent, manufacturing and processing by 0.58 percent, microfinance by 0.24 percent, non life insurance by 0.69 percent and trading by 0.48 percent.

Among individual gainers, Ingwa Hydropower surged by 8.42 percent, making it the top performer of the day. Bungal Hydropower climbed 6.32 percent, while Sagarmatha Jalavidyut Company gained 3.28 percent.

On the losing side, SY Panel dropped by 3.60 percent, emerging as the biggest decliner.

The most actively traded companies of the day included Sahas Urja, Reliance Spinning Mills, SY Panel, API Power and Shivam Cements.