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Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) last week declined 37.63 points (1.39 percent) amid the country’s political situation heading toward the general election scheduled on March 5.

The secondary market opened at 2,708.70 points on Sunday, while it closed at 2,671.07 points on Thursday. During the trading period, the index reached as high as 2,728.43 points and as low as 2,655.30 points, resulting in the fluctuation of 73.13 points.

With a fall of 10.25 points, the market opened for the weekdays at a negative note on Sunday. On the consecutive two days, the market lost 26.05 points and 10.25 points. On Wednesday, the market was almost stable with a decline of 0.04 points. The market gained 8.97 points on Thursday to close for the week.

Sector-wise, only hydropower by adding 0.32 percent in its market price stood as gainer. Of the 12 losers, hotels and tourism plunged by the highest of 6.15 percent, followed by finance with a fall of 3.12 percent.

Regarding the individual companies, Ridi Power Company Limited with turnover of its shares worth Rs 2.71 billion was the topmost in the segment. Kalinchowk Darshan Limited stood as the topmost loser by shedding 16.43 percent in its market value. Khani Khola Hydropower Company Limited gained 27.14 percent, the highest of all.

The total turnover amount inclined 12.87 percent, from Rs 45.04 billion to Rs 50.84 billion. The average turnover increased to over Rs 10.16 billion from Rs 9 billion.

In the review period, the market capitalization decreased to Rs 4.484 trillion from Rs 4.547 trillion, making investors face a loss of more than Rs 63 billion in their book values. In the previous week, the loss amount was recorded at Rs 9 billion.