ISX drops by 0.5% on Monday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index dropped by 0.59% to close at 92 points as traded shares of 14 out of a total 37 companies went down. Monday’s trading session saw shares of 13 companies going up, 14 down while 10 retained their previous rates with more than 1.282 billion stocks exchanged hands at a value of 1.584 billion Iraqi dinars ($1,3 million) through 257 deals, including 6 for non-Iraqi investors at 13.5 million dinars mainly over the banking sector. The industrial sector took the lead with 46% through 35 deals worth more than 742 million dinars over 8 firms, followed by the banking sector with 44% through 141 deals worth 705 million over 12 firms and the service sector through 35 deals worth 91 million dinars over six 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 (P) 1