The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) closed on a slightly positive note on Thursday after a marginal decline in the previous trading session. Despite the improvement in the index, market turnover failed to show any meaningful recovery.

The NEPSE index increased by 6.94 points, reaching 2,718.16 points. Similarly, the Sensitive Index rose by 0.95 points, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index gained 0.30 and 0.22 points respectively.

However, market activity remained subdued. Total turnover declined compared to the previous trading day. On Wednesday, the market had recorded transactions worth Rs. 3.19 billion, whereas on Thursday, total turnover dropped to Rs. 2.93 billion. A total of 6.68 million shares were traded through 45,065 transactions across 334 listed companies.

In terms of individual stock performance, Swabalamban Laghubitta Financial Institution Limited led the gainers, with its share price rising by 12.19 percent. Other gainers posted relatively moderate increases of below 4.5 percent.

On the losing side, Forward Microfinance Laghubitta Financial Institution recorded the steepest decline, falling by 13.24 percent. Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower Company also dropped by more than 9 percent.

In terms of trading volume, NRN Infrastructure and Development topped the list with transactions worth Rs. 176.8 million. Reliance Spinning Mills followed with around Rs. 145 million, while National Hydropower also recorded turnover exceeding Rs. 140 million.

Out of 13 sectoral indices, 8 sectors closed in positive territory while 5 sectors declined. The Trading sector index led the gainers with a rise of 1.57 percent. Meanwhile, sectors including Finance, Investment, Manufacturing & Processing, Mutual Funds, and Non-life Insurance posted slight declines.