Kathmandu, July 24 -- The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Index registered a modest gain of 4.48 points on Thursday, closing at 2,983.36.

The increase, equivalent to 0.15 percent, came amid mixed investor sentiment and sectoral divergence across the market.

Out of the 250 companies traded during the session, share prices of 123 firms rose, while 127 saw a decline.

Turnover stood at Rs18.49 billion, with 38.96 million shares changing hands through 154,642 transactions, according to Nepse data.

Only five out of the 13 sub-indices ended the day in positive territory. Gains were recorded in development banks, hotels & tourism, hydropower, investment, and mutual funds. The rest-including banking, life insurance, non-life insurance, and financ...