ISX goes up by 0.1% on Monday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up by 0.1% for the second session on a row to close at 91.1 points as rates of shares of 8 out of a total 26 traded firms increased on Monday. Shares of 26 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 8 shares increased, 9 slumped, and 9 others maintained their previous levels. “More than 670.866 million shares exchanged hands at one billion billion Iraqi dinars (roughly $1,000000) through 194 deals,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The banking sector took the lead with 72% of the overall trading through 69 deals worth 859 million dinars over seven firms, followed by the hotel sector with 22% through 42 deals worth 269 million dinars over six firms and the service sector with 2% through 36 deals. Trading was modest over the industrial and agricultural 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, 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) 1