ISX index loses 5.7 points this week

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index this week lost 5.7 points to close at 91 points as traders said the retreat will most likely continue due to the unsure security conditions and nearing parliamentary elections. The ISX index had regained 1.3 points last week to close at 94.2 percent. Traded shares this week hit four billion worth more than seven billion Iraqi dinars ($6.2 million) through 1426 deals with non-Iraqi investors getting 33 deals of more than 26 million shares worth 124 million Iraqi dinars, mostly over the banking sector. The ISX witnessed its first e-trading session on April 19, 2009 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. AmR (P) 1