ISX index closes at 92.4 points on Monday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index registered a slight increase by 0.4% to close at 92.4 points as traded shares of 18 out of a total 40 companies went up. Monday’s trading session saw shares of 18 companies going up, 10 down while 12 retained their previous rates with more than 608 million stocks exchanged hands at a value of 883.695 million Iraqi dinars ($755,000) through 329 deals, including three for non-Iraqi investors at 12 million dinars mainly over the banking sector. The banking sector took the lead with 71% of the overall trading activities through 200 deals worth more than 634 million dinars over 17 banks, followed by the industrial sector with 15% through 59 deals worth 133 million over 11 firms and the hotel sector with 6% through 15 deals worth 55.9 million dinars 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, 2009 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) 2