Kathmandu, September 23, 2026 — The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell 36.25 points to close at 2,618.03 on Wednesday as broad-based selling pressure weighed on the market.
Share prices of 253 companies declined, while 23 companies advanced and two remained unchanged. Dhaulagiri Laghubitta was the only stock to hit a positive circuit, gaining 15 percent, while First Microfinance recorded the largest decline, falling 8 percent.
A total of 21.6 million shares of 352 companies were traded through 57,947 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 6.35 billion. Shivam Cements recorded the highest turnover at Rs 330 million.
The life insurance sub-group recorded the largest decline among sectoral indices, falling 2.4 percent. Nine sub-groups, including banking, declined by more than 1 percent.
The NEPSE index had gained more than 130 points over the previous week following the Ministry of Finance’s Capital Market Strengthening and Revival Action Plan announced on September 14. The plan included a decision to reduce the capital gains tax raised through the budget.
