ISX registers slight low to close at 94 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index registered a slight decrease of 0.15% to close at 94.1 points as rates of 15 joint-stock companies’ shares retreated. Sunday’s session saw shares of 38 out of a total 81 electronically-registered joint-stock companies exchanging hands with 15 down, six up and 17 retaining their previous figures. Total traded shares hit 1.402 billion worth 2.148 billion Iraqi dinars (roughly $1.8 million) through 365 deals including two purchase deals by non-Iraqi investors with 1.7 million shares worth 2.2 million Iraqi dinars over the banking sector and 15 selling deals over the service and banking sectors with 13.6 million shares worth 62.8 million Iraqi dinars. 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. AmR (P)/SR 1