KATHMANDU: On Wednesday, despite an increase in trading volume, the NEPSE index dropped slightly by 1.07 points, settling at 2,653 points. The transaction amount rose by 18 percent. While the previous day recorded a total turnover of NPR 7.65 billion, today it increased to NPR 9.08 billion.

According to the NEPSE, share prices of 88 companies increased, while 159 companies saw a decline, and one company remained unchanged. Sectoral indices showed a mixed trend. Hydropower rose by 0.74 percent, Life Insurance by 0.14 percent, Manufacturing & Processing by 0.37 percent, and Others by 0.19 percent.

Conversely, the Banking sector declined by 0.12 percent, Development Bank by 1.25 percent, Hotels & Tourism by 1.13 percent, Finance by 0.46 percent, Microfinance by 0.54 percent, Non-life Insurance by 0.62 percent, and Trading by 0.15 percent.

Pure Energy and Joshi Hydropower saw a 10 percent surge in their stock prices. Union Hydropower rose by 9.22 percent, Singati Hydro Energy by 8.09 percent, and Panchakanya Mai Hydropower by 8.05 percent.

Corporate Development Bank recorded the highest drop with a 10 percent fall. Saptakoshi Development Bank declined by 7.39 percent and Green Development Bank by 3.86 percent.

The top five companies in terms of trading volume today were Sanima Mai Hydropower, Singati Hydro Energy, Butwal Power, Ngadi Group, and Union Hydropower.