The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index slipped slightly on Tuesday, shedding 2.71 points (0.09 percent) to close at 2,757.40.

Daily turnover fell sharply to Rs6.73 billion from Rs10.92 billion in the previous day, when the market had gained 83.33 points to settle at 2,760.02. Market capitalisation declined to Rs4.687 trillion from Rs4.692 trillion, erasing Rs5 billion in investor wealth.

Despite a modest 2.70-point gain in the pre-open session, the market failed to sustain momentum. Early gains gave way to selling pressure by midday, dragging the index lower.

The market opened at 2,762.73, touching an intraday high of 2,794.94 and a low of 2,743.36. A total of 17.4 million shares of 345 companies were traded through 81,582 transactions.

Of the 13 sub-indices, nine declined while three posted gains. Hotels and tourism led with a 1.08 percent rise, followed by hydropower (0.71 percent), banking (0.15 percent) and others (0.04 percent).

Trading was the worst performer, dropping 1.88 percent, followed by development banks (0.62 percent), mutual funds (0.55 percent), investment (0.46 percent), life insurance (0.45 percent), finance (0.41 percent), non-life insurance (0.33 percent), microfinance (0.19 percent) and manufacturing and processing (0.05 percent).

Ngadi Group Power Ltd. (NGPL) led turnover with Rs 242 million, closing at Rs 457. Other actively traded stocks included Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML), Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Limited (AKJCL), SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL), and National Hydropower Company Limited (NHPC).

Despite the overall fall, five companies hit the upper circuit. Bhujung Hydropower Limited (BJHL), Super Khudi Hydropower Limited (SKHL), Swet-Ganga Hydropower & Construction Limited (SGHC), Ridge Line Energy Limited (RLEL), Suryakunda Hydro Electric Limited (SKHEL), and Hotel Forest Inn Limited (HFIN) closed at Rs 931.70, Rs 777.80, Rs 443.30, Rs 642.90, Rs 608.90, and Rs 563, respectively.

NIBL Growth Fund (NIBLGF) led losers with 7.08 percent, closing at 9.98. Other top losers included Jhapa Energy Limited (3.96 percent), Chirkhwa Hydropower Limited (3.83 percent), Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower Company Limited (3.66 percent), and Aviyan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (3.08 percent).