After three consecutive days of decline, Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) posted a modest gain on Monday. The NEPSE index rose by 6.74 points to close at 2,601.61.

Gains were led by the hotel and tourism, investment, microfinance, mutual fund and others sub-groups. Indices of commercial banks, development banks and finance companies also edged up.

Shares of 155 companies advanced, benefiting investors, while 94 companies declined. Two companies - Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha and SY Panel - hit the positive circuit. Himstar Energy recorded the largest drop, falling 6.95 percent.

Total turnover stood at Rs 3.44 billion. Ngadi Group Power led trading with shares worth Rs 142.5 million, followed by Laxmi Sunrise Bank at Rs 141.5 million and Nepal SBI Bank at Rs 134.8 million.

Despite the uptick in the index on the second trading day of the week, overall trading volume remained subdued. On Sunday, the NEPSE had fallen 12.50 points to 2,594.87, with a turnover of Rs 4.74 billion.