KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined by 5.33 points in the pre-open session on Friday, the first trading day after the Tihar holiday, falling to 2,649.89 points.

The benchmark index had closed at 2,655.22 points on the previous trading day, Thursday, after gaining 2.64 points. However, selling pressure during the pre-open session pushed the index lower. The Sensitive Index also declined by 1.10 points.

According to the exchange data, shares of 57 companies were traded through 117 transactions during the pre-open session. A total of 14,516 shares worth Rs 2.66 million were exchanged.

Of the 57 companies traded, share prices of 12 companies increased, while 36 companies recorded a decline. The prices of the remaining nine companies remained unchanged.

The pre-open session indicated a negative start to the regular trading session following the Tihar holiday, with declining stocks outnumbering advancing ones.