The domestic stock market ended marginally higher on Monday after witnessing volatility throughout the trading session. The benchmark Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index gained 1.53 points to close at 2,695.73.

Sector-wise, development banks, hotels and tourism, manufacturing and processing, non-life insurance, and trading sub-indices contributed to the market’s upward movement.

The hotels and tourism sub-index recorded the highest gain of the day, rising by 1.77 percent. A total of 114 companies saw their share prices increase, while prices of 134 companies declined.

Shares of three companies - SY Panel Nepal, Srinagar Agritech and Himstar Energy - hit the positive circuit during the session. Meanwhile, Mithila Laghubitta Financial Institution was the only company to hit the negative circuit.

Despite the marginal rise in the index, total trading volume declined compared to the previous session. The market recorded a total turnover of Rs 8.22 billion on Monday, down from Rs 9.10 billion worth of shares traded on Sunday.

Akhu Khola Hydropower Company led the turnover chart with shares worth Rs 413.9 million traded during the day. It was followed by SY Panel Nepal with Rs 385 million and Bandipur Cable Car with Rs 284.1 million in transactions.