KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced a steep decline on Monday, with the index ending at 2,529.33 points after falling 59.02 points, or 2.28%. The benchmark index was not the only indicator to experience a decrease; other indices were also affected, pointing to a possible global market collapse.

The Float Index, which represents shares that are actively traded, declined by 2.26%, while the Sensitive Index, which measures Class 'A' equities, sank by 1.94%. Every market segment saw a decline at the close, with the finance sector losing the most, falling by 5.56%.

In the trading session, only 14 companies saw their stock prices rise, while a substantial 229 companies experienced declines. Notably, four companies, Goodwill Finance (GFCL), Samriddhi Finance Company Limited (SFCL), Eastern Hydropower Limited (EHPL), and NIC Asia Flexi Cap Fund (NICFC), were among the biggest losers, each seeing a 10% drop in their share values.

The trading volume for the day amounted to Rs 5.6 billion, with 13,535,903 shares traded across 329 companies and a total of 77,153 transactions completed. This trading activity reflects a cautious sentiment among investors.

The Nepal Stock Exchange's overall market capitalization at the end of the session was Rs 4.021 trillion, indicating the effect of the day's trading losses on the total market value.