The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a notable downturn on Sunday, with the benchmark index falling by 33.33 points, or 1.23%, to close at 2,670.06. This decline comes after a marginal gain of 3.35 points in the previous trading session, indicating a shift in investor sentiment.
The trading day began with the index opening at 2,702.09. Throughout the session, it experienced fluctuations, reaching an intraday high of 2,710.13 before slipping to a low of 2,667.56. Despite the downturn, market activity remained strong, with a total turnover of Rs. 5.65 Arba. A total of 10,014,866 shares were traded across 322 listed companies through 55,712 transactions, highlighting active participation from investors.
Among the sectoral indices, the Hotel and Tourism Index faced a significant setback, registering an 86.80-point drop, or 1.35%, to close at 6,340.70. This marks a continued downward trend following an 8.02-point decline in the previous session. The sector opened at 6,427.51, nearly matching its intraday high of 6,427.50, before falling to a low of 6,329.75.
The continued pressure on the Hotel and Tourism Index signals challenges within the sector, possibly reflecting investor concerns over short-term performance despite long-term tourism potential. The overall market performance suggests cautious trading behavior and sector-specific volatility, particularly in areas tied to tourism and hospitality. Investors are likely to watch upcoming sessions closely for signs of stabilization or further correction, especially as the Hotel and Tourism sector remains under pressure.