Kathmandu, May 15: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed marginally higher on Friday, even as share trading activity continued to decline.

The benchmark index rose by 1.77 points to close at 2,731.94. The market had witnessed volatility throughout the trading session, according to market data.

Shares of groups including banking, finance, hotels and tourism, hydropower, non-life insurance, other and trading sectors contributed to the overall rise in the index.

A total of 127 companies saw their share prices increase during the day, while 120 companies recorded declines.

Among individual stocks, Nabil Debenture gained the most, rising 7.71 percent. On the other hand, Union Hydropower Company Limited was the biggest loser, falling 14.79 percent.

Despite the index posting a slight gain, total turnover contracted further. Trading volume stood at Rs 3.09 billion, down from Rs 3.29 billion recorded on Thursday.

The most traded company of the day was Union Hydropower with transactions worth Rs 306.6 million. Similarly, API Power Company Limited recorded Rs 114.4 million in turnover, while Reliance Spinning Mills Limited posted Rs 86.3 million in share trading.