The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index ended today’s trading session in negative territory, declining by 19.85 points, or 0.73 percent, to close at 2,694.20. The loss follows a downward trend seen in the previous session, during which the benchmark index had fallen by 17.53 points, indicating continued cautious sentiment among investors.
Market Movement and Trading Range
The benchmark index opened the session at 2,714.77 and showed brief upward momentum, touching an intraday high of 2,719.62. However, selling pressure later in the session dragged the index down to an intraday low of 2,688.08, before closing near the lower range of the day.
Despite the decline, market activity remained robust. Total daily turnover reached Rs. 9.10 Arba, reflecting sustained participation from investors. A total of 22,060,454 shares of 329 listed companies were traded through 110,728 transactions, highlighting active trading despite the bearish close.
Market Capitalization Overview
Following the day’s decline, the overall market capitalization stood at Rs. 45.23 Kharba, while the float market capitalization, representing shares available for public trading, was recorded at Rs. 15.39 Kharba. Analysts note that while short-term fluctuations persist, market capitalization remains relatively stable, supported by consistent trading volumes.
Sector-wise Performance
Sectoral indices presented a mixed picture during the session. The Trading Index emerged as the top gainer, posting a modest increase of 0.55 percent, suggesting selective buying interest in trading-related stocks.
In contrast, the Hotels and Tourism Index recorded the sharpest decline among all sectors, falling by 1.75 percent. The sector has now witnessed consecutive losses, reflecting investor concerns and profit booking after earlier gains.
Hotels and Tourism Index Sees Sharp Decline
The Hotels and Tourism Index dropped by 132.30 points to settle at 7,390.05, following a 98.94-point loss in the previous trading session. The index opened at 7,157.75 and climbed to an intraday high of 7,543.56, indicating initial buying interest. However, sustained selling pressure later pushed the index down to an intraday low of 7,381.28, resulting in a weak close.
Market observers suggest that the decline in the tourism-related stocks may be attributed to short-term profit booking and broader market weakness rather than sector-specific fundamentals.
Investor Sentiment and Market Outlook
Analysts believe the continued decline in the benchmark reflects a cautious investor outlook amid ongoing market volatility. While strong turnover figures indicate active participation, investors appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach, focusing on fundamentally strong stocks and sector-specific opportunities.
Market participants are expected to closely watch upcoming economic indicators, corporate earnings announcements, and policy developments that could influence market direction in the coming sessions.
