Oct 07, Kathmandu - The stock market has experienced a sharp decline following the Dashain festival. The NEPSE index fell by 58.55 points, a decrease of 2.19%, bringing the index to 2,604 points. Total trading volume amounted to NPR 462 crore.

Out of the listed companies, 16 saw their values increase, while 235 declined, and one remained unchanged. All sector indices also decreased. The other groups saw the largest decline of 4.83%, with the Insurance group being the most affected due to a steep fall in the value of Nepal Reinsurance.

Key sector-wise declines include banking (1.32%), development banks (2.38%), finance (1.12%), hotels and tourism (2.72%), hydropower (2.74%), investments (1.91%), life insurance (1.86%), manufacturing and processing (1.85%), microfinance (1.87%), non-life insurance (2.04%), and trading (1.17%).

Among individual stocks, Golchha Energy experienced the biggest drop of 10%. Other notable declines include Nepal Reinsurance (8.57%), Upper Maling Khola (7.21%), and Panchakanya MHI Hydro Power (6.87%).

Today, investor interest was observed in debt instruments, with many showing price increases. Notably, Centurion Debenture rose by 10%, NIC Asia Debenture by 9.11%, and Standard Chartered Debenture by 9%.

Among the most actively traded companies today are Union Hydro Power, Nepal Reinsurance, Himalayan Reinsurance, Shivam Cement, and Synergy Power Development.