Kathmandu, May 23 -- The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index recorded a positive trajectory during the trading week of May 18 to 22, gaining momentum ahead of the highly anticipated national budget announcement.

The benchmark index closed the week at 2,758.49 points, marking a gain of 26.55 points or 0.97 percent from the previous week's close of 2,731.94 points. Reflecting broad-based buying sentiment, the Sensitive Index, which measures the performance of Class 'A' blue-chip companies, edged up by 4.34 points or 0.93 percent to settle at 471.89 points.

The rise in the index translated into higher investor wealth. Market capitalisation increased to Rs 4.704 trillion from Rs 4.659 trillion a week earlier. Overall investor wealth expanded...