The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Index fell by 13.52 points to close at 2,631.17 on Wednesday, a decline of 0.51 percent. This marks a continuation of the downward trend that began on Sunday. The index, which had slipped only 0.53 points on Tuesday, recorded a sharper fall in double digits on Wednesday.

Total turnover reached Rs5.23 billion, with 10.87 million shares traded. Seventy-four companies advanced, 177 declined, and seven were unchanged.

Most sectoral indices ended lower. Banking dropped 0.72 percent, development banks fell 0.66 percent and hydropower slipped 0.50 percent. Life insurance slid 1.18 percent, while non-life insurance declined 0.73 percent.

Finance gained 1.59 percent, hotels and tourism climbed 0.54 percent, manufacturing and processing rose 0.24 percent and mutual funds added 0.44 percent.