ISX index down by 0.7%, closes at 92.7 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went down by 0.7% to close at 92.7 points as trading took place on Sunday over shares of 29 out of a total of 82 electronically-registered firms. Shares of four companies went up, 14 down while 11 others retained their previous rates. The number of shares traded hit 279.555 million shares worth more than 634.425 million Iraqi dinars through 172 deals. The service sector took the lead during the session with 40% of the trading activities through 23 deals worth ID254 million over four firms, followed by the banking sector with 35% and the hotels sector with 15% through 28 deals over five firms. 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. SS (P) 1