Kathmandu, June 24: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its downward trend on Wednesday, falling by 14.45 points, or 0.54 per cent, to close at 2,660.02 points.

The Sensitive Index, which measures the performance of Class 'A' companies, declined by 0.55 per cent, while the Float Index dropped by 0.52 per cent.

Most sectoral indices ended in the red, with only the Trading and Finance sectors posting gains. The Trading sector rose by 0.81 per cent, while the Finance sector edged up by 0.19 per cent.

Among the losing sectors, Manufacturing and Processing recorded the steepest decline of 1.10 per cent, followed by the Others sector, which fell by 1.02 per cent.

Despite the market decline, trading activity remained moderate. A total of 10.77 million shares of 338 companies were traded through 72,917 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 4.4 billion. The market had recorded a daily turnover of Rs 4.36 billion on Tuesday.

The total market capitalisation stood at Rs 4.552 trillion at the close of trading.

In individual stock performance, 64 companies posted gains, while 200 declined and 10 remained unchanged.

Two hydropower companies-Taksar Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower Limited and Yambaling Hydropower Limited-hit the positive circuit limit of 15 per cent. Bhujung Hydropower Limited also recorded a notable gain of 14.69 per cent despite the broader market downturn.