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The stock market declined for a fourth consecutive trading day on Thursday, with the benchmark NEPSE index falling by 8.50 points compared to the previous session.

Following the decline, the index settled at 2,651 points, its lowest level since February 25.

Over the past month, the market has shed 135 points. The NEPSE stood at 2,786 points on June 25. Although the market showed signs of recovery after midday trading on Thursday, it resumed its downward trend after around 1:45 pm.

Turnover also dropped significantly. Total transactions amounted to Rs 2.83 billion, down from Rs 4.41 billion recorded a day earlier. The trading volume was the lowest since June 18.

Share prices of 83 companies advanced, while 172 declined and 19 remained unchanged. All sectoral indices, except manufacturing and processing, ended in negative territory. The manufacturing and processing sub-index gained 0.14 percent.

The trading sector posted the steepest loss, falling 1.96 percent.

Banking slipped 0.19 percent, development banks 0.15 percent, finance 0.36 percent, hotels and tourism 0.53 percent, hydropower 0.41 percent, investment 0.16 percent, life insurance 0.22 percent, microfinance 0.15 percent, non-life insurance 0.40 percent, and the 'others' category 0.47 percent.

Two recently listed companies continued their upward streak, with Taksar Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower and Yambaling Hydropower gaining the maximum permitted 15 percent. Following the rise, shares of both companies closed at Rs 524.60.

Kalika Laghubitta increased by 12.84 percent, Saptakoshi Development Bank by 8.20 percent, and Reliance Spinning Mills by 3.23 percent.

On the losing side, Bhujung Hydropower fell 11.03 percent, CYC Laghubitta 8.97 percent, Bhagwati Hydropower 5.84 percent, and Three Star Hydropower 5.57 percent.

The most actively traded stocks of the day were Sopan Pharmaceuticals, Reliance Spinning Mills, Saptakoshi Development Bank, Aankhu Khola Hydropower Company and Nepal SBI Bank.