Stock market indices in Bangladesh declined yesterday after rising for two days.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), slipped by 12.94 points or 0.26 percent to close at 4,951.

The DSES index, which tracks Shariah-compliant stocks, fell by 9.03 points or 0.82 percent to 1,089, while the DS30, comprising blue-chip stocks, declined by 10.27 points or 0.56 percent to 1,833.

Out of 395 issues that were traded at the DSE, 116 saw an increase in prices, 253 closed lower, and 28 did not witness any price swing.

Global Islami Bank PLC was the day's top gainer, posting a 10 percent increase, while Khulna Printing & Packaging Ltd emerged as the biggest loser, shedding 9 percent.

Turnover, which is an important indicator of market activity, dropped by 5.9 percent from the previous day's trading session to Tk 549.74 crore.

Beach Hatchery Limited topped the turnover chart, with transactions worth Tk 55.2 crore.

The banking sector led the turnover chart, contributing 29.8 percent of the total value of trade.

At the Chittagong Stock Exchange, the CSE All Share Price Index (CASPI), the main index of the port city bourse, fell by 3.66 points or 0.03 percent to settle at 13,860.

According to UCB Stock Brokerage's daily market update, the banking, mutual fund, and tannery sectors ended the day in the positive.

In contrast, the paper and printing, services and real estate, and engineering sectors registered the sharpest declines.

Most of the sectors that represent large-cap stocks — meaning those that account for large amounts in market capitalisation, or the total value of their stocks — posted negative performances, according to BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage.

The engineering sector recorded the steepest drop, falling 2.16 percent, followed by fuel and power (1.25 percent), food and allied (0.83 percent), non-bank financial institutions (0.77 percent), pharmaceuticals (0.69 percent), and telecommunications (0.59 percent).

The banking sector was the sole gainer among major sectors, rising by 2.50 percent.