Kathmandu-The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced a downturn on Thursday, as the country’s sole secondary market dropped 17.53 points to close at 2,714.05.

Trading activity remained robust with 35.477 million shares from 320 companies changing hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 14.563 billion.

This bearish sentiment was reflected across broader market indicators; the sensitive index, which monitors the performance of Class ‘A’ stocks, dipped by 0.33 percent, while the float index tracking actively traded shares fell by 0.47 percent.

The decline was felt across nearly all sectors, with the majority of sub-indices ending the session in negative territory. The development bank sector faced the steepest decline, plunging by 2.22 percent, while the hydropower and investment sectors managed to buck the trend, and microfinance remained unchanged.

Despite the general slump, Himal Dolakha Hydropower Company Limited emerged as the day's top gainer with a notable 9.23 percent increase.

Conversely, Corporate Development Bank Limited, Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd saw their share prices hit the lower circuit, dropping by a full 10 percent compared to the previous session.

Investors remain cautious yet expectant as the market continues its quest to reclaim historic peaks. While the index briefly crossed the 3,000-point threshold in August of both last year and earlier this month, it has since retreated, leaving the all-time high of 3,199.03 points—set on September 2, 2021—as the ultimate benchmark for the current market recovery.