KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index plunged by 32.16 points on Sunday, closing at 2,596.74. Despite a total turnover of NPR 9.14 billion, strong selling pressure pulled the index below the 2600 mark for the first time in nearly three months.

A total of 21.5 million shares were traded through 87,302 transactions. Out of the 310 companies listed, only 23 recorded price gains, while 225 saw declines. All trading groups ended in the red, with hotel and hydropower sectors experiencing the steepest drops.

Joshi Hydropower emerged as the top gainer, with its share price rising by 9.98%, followed by Sapta Koshi Development Bank, which gained 5.6%. In contrast, Pure Energy saw a 10% decline, hitting the lower circuit.

Dordi Khola Hydropower led the market in transaction volume with over NPR 750 million in trades, followed closely by Butwal Power Company with around NPR 745 million.