ISX index up by 0.7%

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index on Wednesday went up by 0.7 percent to close at 129 points as shares of 33 firms out of total 48 increased. Traded shares today hit one billion and 900.000 shares worth 3.586 billion dinars ($ 2.7 million) through 648 deals. Shares of 48 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 33 shares jumped, 8 slumped, and 7 others maintained their previous levels. The banking sector grabbed the lion’s share of today’s trading with 60% through 255 deals worth 2.184 billion dinars over 14 firms, followed by the industrial sector with 19% through 212 deals worth 706 million dinars over 15 firms and the service sector came third with 16% of the overall trading through 143 deals worth 606 million dinars over 6 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 563