ISX registers 0.8% rise, closes at 92.2 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index registered an increase of 0.8% to close at 92.2 points as rates of shares of seven out of a total 35 companies traded during Sunday’s session went up. Rates of 13 companies’ shares went down, seven up and 15 retaining their previous prices. The number of traded shares hit 662.417 million worth 987.359 million Iraqi dinars (roughly $843,000) through 225 deals, including five that went to non-Iraqi investors with a number of shares of 27.6 million worth 36.3 million dinars over the banking and industry sectors. The banking sector came in the lead with 87% of the whole trading today (Feb. 21) through 153 deals over 15 banking firms, followed by the hotel sector with 5% of the whole trading activities through 26 deals over seven firms and the industrial sector with 3% through 28 deals over 10 industrial companies. 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 (S)/SR 1