Kathmandu- The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) benchmark index displayed strong positive momentum on Monday, closing at 2,786.35 points as investors showed robust buying sentiment ahead of the government’s upcoming national budget announcement.

The Sensitive Index, which tracks the performance of Class ‘A’ blue-chip companies, also edged higher to close at 475.74 points.

The market witnessed active trading throughout the session, with total turnover reaching Rs 5.986 billion. A total of 14.540 million shares were traded through 75,856 transactions involving 342 listed companies.

Broad-based buying was seen across almost all major sectors, except mutual funds. The Hydropower sector led the rally with a 1.50 percent gain, followed by the Manufacturing & Processing sector, which rose by 1.35 percent, while the Other Index advanced by 1.23 percent.

Among individual stocks, hydropower and investment companies attracted significant investor interest. Three Star Hydropower Limited emerged as the top turnover leader, recording transactions worth Rs 602.014 million and closing at Rs 418 per share.