October 9: The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index lost 12.58 points or 0.65% and closed at 1908.66 points on the second trading day of the week, Monday. The Index lost 35.67 points yesterday.

Investors and stock analysts point to Nepal Rastra Bank's strict stock market policies and the festive season as the reasons behind NEPSE's ongoing downward trend.

Experts emphasize that the market won't rebound until NRB revises its policies, specifically by removing the upper cap on margin lending and adjusting the risk weightage ratio from 150 to 100.

One investor stated, “The stock market needs a policy shift to regain momentum.”

During today's trading, as many as 287 different stocks were traded in the NEPSE. Likewise, 4,327,179 units of shares exchanged their hands through 48,444 transactions, amounting to Rs 1.17 billion.

Nabil Bank Limited (NABIL) had the highest turnover, reaching Rs. 3.51 crores, and closed at a market price of Rs. 571.80.

Similarly, Sayapatri Hydropower Limited (SPHL) posted the highest gain of 6.88%, followed by Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) with a gain of 4.46%.

On the flip side, Barahi Hydropower Public Limited (BHPL) and Himalayan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (HLBSL) hit the negative circuit today.

In terms of sector indices, all sector indices except Manufacturing and Processing and Trading Index closed in the red territory. "Trading Index" gained the highest 0.29% while "Life Insurance Index" lost the highest 1% today.

Sensitive Index experienced a loss of 0.77%, while Float Index and Sensitive Float Index dropped by 0.70% and 0.92% respectively.