The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) closed slightly lower on Wednesday, falling by 1.94 points to settle at 2,832.03. The benchmark index, which had shown brief signs of recovery earlier in the day, failed to hold its ground in the final session.

Market breadth remained mixed—while share prices of 112 companies rose, 138 saw declines. Despite the marginal dip, activity in the microfinance segment injected a dose of optimism into the day’s trading.

The microfinance sub-index rose by 1.41 percent, with investors showing renewed interest amid rumours that some microfinance firms may distribute over 15 percent dividends from last fiscal year’s profits.

Three firms—Vin Nepal Laghubitta, Mahuli Laghubitta, and Trade Tower Ltd—hit the daily price limit, soaring by 10 percent and briefly halting trade on those counters.