Kathmandu- The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) ended Tuesday’s trading session slightly lower, with the benchmark index slipping 4.64 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,696.67, as losses in the majority of listed companies outweighed gains despite healthy market activity.

According to NEPSE, shares worth Rs 4.43 billion changed hands during the session, with more than 10.42 million shares traded. A total of 98 companies advanced, while 166 declined and 13 remained unchanged, reflecting a cautious sentiment among investors.

Sector-wise performance was mixed, with the Trading Index emerging as the top gainer, rising 0.74 percent, followed by the Hotels and Tourism Index (0.18 percent), Hydropower Index (0.15 percent) and Finance Index (0.06 percent).

Meanwhile, the Others Index recorded the steepest decline, falling 0.80 percent, followed by the Investment Index (0.79 percent) and Life Insurance Index (0.58 percent).

Among individual stocks, Everest Colour Limited emerged as the day’s top performer, surging 15 percent to close at Rs 861. 

On the turnover front, Central Finance Co. Ltd.  led the market with transactions worth Rs 271.417 million.