KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed in the red on Thursday extending its losing streak to a fourth straight trading session as the downward trend that began three days ago showed no signs of reversal.

The benchmark index shed 8.50 points to settle at 2,651.52. Other market gauges also moved lower with the Sensitive Index down 0.64 points, the Float Index off 0.41 points and the Sensitive Float Index declining 0.23 points.

Trading activity also weakened considerably compared to the previous session. Wednesday’s market had seen transactions worth roughly NPR 4.41 billion but Thursday’s volume fell sharply, 6.48 million shares changed hands across 46,751 transactions involving 338 stocks amounting to NPR 2.84 billion in total turnover.

Among individual movers, two stocks hit their positive circuit limits: Takshar Pikhuwakhola Hydropower and Yambaling Hydropower. Kalika Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha surged nearly 13 percent while Saptakoshi Development Bank gained more than 8 percent.

On the downside, Bhujung Hydropower was the day’s worst performer tumbling 11.03 percent.

In terms of turnover, Sopan Pharmaceuticals led the board with trades worth NPR 127.7 million. Reliance Spinning Mills followed with transactions exceeding NPR 120 million and Saptakoshi Development Bank crossed NPR 105 million in traded value.

Of the 13 sub-indices, only one, the Manufacturing and Processing sub group, managed to inch into positive territory. The remaining 12 all declined with the Trading sub group posting the steepest fall at 1.96 percent.