ISX index goes up by 0.4%

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up by 0.4% to close at 90 points on Wednesday as rates of shares of 16 out of a total 28 traded firms increased. “Some 710.211 million shares were traded during today’s session at one billion Iraqi dinars (roughly $862,000) through 388 deals. Rates of shares of 16 firms went up, 9 down, while 3 retained their previous levels,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Non-Iraqi investors obtained 91 purchase deals worth 308 million dinars over the banking, industrial and service sectors. The banking sector took the lead in today’s session with 44% of the overall trading activities through 143 deals over 9 firms, followed by the service sector with 28% through 155 deals worth 284 million dinars over 3 firms and the industerial sector with 19% through 94 deals worth 199 million dinars over 9 firms. Trading was modest over the investment and insurance sectors. 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. SH (S)/SR 1