The benchmark Nepse index declined by 12.36 points on Wednesday, as losses in most listed companies dampened investor sentiment.

The secondary market index fell 0.44 percent to close at 2,742.11 points.

Among the traded companies, share prices of 72 firms increased while 188 declined. Prices of nine companies remained unchanged.

The mutual fund subgroup gained marginally by 0.03 points, while the trading subgroup remained stable. However, the hotel and tourism subgroup dropped by 68.33 points, non-life insurance by 46.14 points, and hydropower by 26.65 points.

Prabhu Bank Debenture 2087 posted the highest gain of 6.62 percent, followed by Bungal Hydro Limited at 6.18 percent, Laxmi Bank Debenture 2086 at 5.76 percent, Machhapuchchhre Bank Debenture 2085 at 4.31 percent, and Everest Bank Limited Debenture at 3.90 percent.

Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower recorded the steepest loss of 14.95 percent. Jhapa Energy Limited fell by 8.12 percent, Mountain Hydro Nepal by 7.40 percent, Nabil Debenture 2085 by 4.24 percent, and City Hotel Limited by 3.80 percent.

A total of 8.95 million shares were traded through 44,744 transactions during the day. The total turnover stood at Rs3.89 billion.