KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index lost about 19 points on Thursday.

The stock market declined by 0.92 percent, losing 18.96 points to close at 2,037.92 points.

The sensitive index that measures the performance of the blue chip companies also fell by 4.08 points.

The transaction amount, which had been continuously exceeding Rs 2 billion of late, has dropped below 2 billion.

A total of 6,298,638 shares of 223 companies traded hands via 36,264 transactions, resulting in a turnover of Rs 1.76 billion today. The turnover on Wednesday was Rs 1.93 billion.

Only Mutual Fund sub-indices posted a nominal gain and all other sub-indices closed red with Finance sector losing the most (2.25 percent).

Shivam Cements had the highest transaction of its shares worth Rs 72.79 million.

Unilever Nepal Limited was the topmost loser while Himalayan Hydropower Limited was the biggest gainer of the day.

Share prices of Himalayan Hydropower Ltd and Upper Hewakhola Hydropower Company Ltd hit the positive circuit of 10 percent.