The indices of stock markets in Bangladesh exhibited a mixed performance for the second consecutive day yesterday.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) saw a decline, while Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a modest rise amid growing concerns over a hike in trade tariffs by the US.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the DSE, dropped 8.49 points, or 0.16 percent, to close the day at 5,196.

The other two indices of the country's premium bourse also showed a mixed performance.

The Shariah-compliant DSES index slipped 1.85 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,165, while the DS30, which represents blue-chip stocks, inched up 1.37 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,930.

Of the issues that were traded on the DSE floor, 150 saw price increases, 191 closed lower, and the remaining stocks saw no price movement.

At the CSE, the CSE All-Share Price Index (CASPI), the broad index of the port city bourse, ticked up by 0.80 points, or 0.01 percent, to settle at 14,561.

Turnover, another important indicator of the market, increased by 13.09 percent to Tk 470 crore compared to that on the previous day's trading session.

The pharmaceuticals sector dominated the market activities, accounting for 24.36 percent of the total turnover.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation emerged as the most-traded share, with a turnover of Tk 33.3 crore.

In its daily market update, Shanta Securities noted that market movement was driven by negative changes in the market capitalisation of paper and printing, banking, and tannery industries.

Meanwhile, there were positive changes in the market capitalisation of travel & leisure, financial institutions, and telecommunication sectors, it said.

Large-cap sectors, meaning those that account for large amounts in market capitalisation, which is the total value of their shares at present, posted mixed performances, said BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage in a market update.

Non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) posted the highest gain of 0.73 percent, followed by telecommunication (0.63 percent) and engineering (0.05 percent).

However, food and allied posted a loss of 0.27 percent, fuel and power 0.28 percent, pharmaceuticals 0.28 percent, and banking 0.32 percent.

Investor sentiment appeared shaky following last week's announcement by the US government, which claimed that Bangladesh imposes an effective 74 percent tariff on American goods.

In response, the US proposed a 37 percent "discounted reciprocal tariff" on Bangladeshi exports.

Amidst these developments, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus wrote a letter to US President Donald Trump, while Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin also addressed the United States Trade Representative, urging the restoration of trade ties and investor confidence.