The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index fell by 16.21 points on Sunday to close at 2,706.51, registering a decline of 0.59 percent compared to the previous trading day.

A total of 21,323,967 shares were traded across 296 scrips, amounting to a total turnover of Rs8.43 billion.

Among the sub-indices, the hotels and tourism index recorded the steepest loss, dropping 86.06 points (1.30 percent). The finance index shed 30.78 points (1.19 percent), while the hydropower index declined by 39 points (1.09 percent). Development banks also saw a significant drop, with the index falling 60.37 points (1.06 percent).

Other notable losers included the banking index (-0.77%), life insurance (-0.78%), and microfinance (-0.44%). The mutual fund and non-life insurance indices slipped marginally by 0.24 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively.

The trading index rose by 1.05 percent, gaining 48.11 points, and the manufacturing and processing index edged up 39.50 points (0.55 percent). The investment index also posted a slight increase of 0.07 percent.

Out of the traded stocks, 192 declined, 53 advanced, and one remained unchanged.

Nepal Micro Insurance Company (NMIC) was the top gainer of the day, hitting the upper circuit with a 9.99 percent rise to close at Rs647.50. Other top gainers included Crest Micro Life Insurance (CREST), Radhi Bidyut Company (RADHI), Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), and Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), with gains ranging from 5 to 10 percent.

Meanwhile, the biggest loser was Balephi Hydropower (BHL), which fell by 7.47 percent to close at Rs227. Himalaya Power Partner Limited (HPPL), Saptakoshi Development Bank (SAPDBL), and Super Madi Hydropower (SMHL) were also among the top losers.

Market sentiment remained largely negative, with selling pressure observed across most sectors.