ISX index down by 0.4%

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index on Wednesday went down by 0.4% to close at 121.2 points as shares of 23 firms out of total 45 decreased. Traded shares today hit 1.329 billion shares worth 1.938 billion dinars ($1.6 million) through 557 deals. Shares of 45 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 13 shares jumped, 23 slumped, and 9 others maintained their previous levels. The banking sector grabbed the lion’s share of today’s trading with 67% through 248 deals worth 1.316 billion dinars over 14 firms, followed by the industrial sector with 21% through 190 deals worth 412 million dinars over 12 firms, the service sector came third with 12% of the overall trading through 42 deals worth 113 million dinars over 4 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, 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 (TS)/SR   413