Nepal, May 18 -- Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) on Monday had a modest loss of 1.03 points to close at 2,730.91 points.

The secondary market opened at 2,731.94 points initially and rose to day's high at 2,741.02 points in nine minutes. In the next 17 minutes, the index had a straight fall to 2,726.97 points. The market witnessed nominal fluctuations and remained almost stable until the last 15 minutes. The market plunged to the day's low at 2,722.72 points in the last 11 minutes, before it recovered eight points in the remaining period before it closed for the day.

Five groups were the gainers as hydropower inclined by the largest of 6.43 points. Of the eight sectors, non-life insurance shed the largest of 74.73 points.

The sensitive in...