After rising for five consecutive trading days last week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) opened the new week on a downward trajectory, falling by 26.51 points on Sunday.

The benchmark index declined by 0.99 percent to close at 2,649 points. The market had climbed as high as 2,691 points by 12:44pm before selling pressure pushed the index steadily lower through the afternoon session.

Despite the dip in the index, overall market activity expanded. Turnover rose to Rs7.08 billion, compared to Rs6.66 billion on the previous trading day.

Of the companies traded, share prices of 45 rose, 211 declined, and 3 remained unchanged. Most sectoral indices closed lower, except manufacturing and processing, which edged up by 0.73 percent.

Four companies—Sagar Distillery, Swastik Laghubitta, Jhapa Energy and Srinagar Agritech—hit the 10 percent positive circuit. Joshi Hydropower recorded the steepest fall of the day, declining by 7.29 percent.