ISX index slightly up on Thursday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went slightly up on Thursday by 0.66 percent to close at 98.73 points during a session that saw the shares of 44 out of 81 electronically-registered companies exchanging hands. During the trading session, rates of 19 companies went up, 15 down while 10 retained their previous rates. The session witnessed the trading of 586 million shares worth 1.105 billion Iraqi dinars through 312 transactions, 26 of them went to non-Iraqi investors with a number of more than 60 million shares worth more than 82 million Iraqi dinars, mostly over the banking sector. The banking sector came in the lead with 59% of the trading activities today (Jan. 14) through 173 transactions over 15 banking firms, followed by the investment sector with 17% of the trading over two firms. The ISX witnessed its first e-trading session on April 19 over five registered companies, three banks and two hotels. The banks were: Ashur International Bank (AIB), Al-Mansour Bank and the Iraqi Credit Bank while the hotels were: Ashtar Hotel and Al-Mansour Hotel. On June 7, the Iraqi Middle East Investment Bank and the Warka Bank joined the electronic trading sessions. The ISX now holds five sessions from Sunday to Thursday. SH (S)/SR 1