ISX closes at 91.4 points on Thur.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index registered a decrease of 1.7% for the fifth consecutive session to close at 91.4 points as rates of 23 joint-stock companies’ shares retreated. Today’s session saw shares of 38 out of a total 81 electronically-registered joint-stock companies exchanging hands with 23 down, four up and 11 retaining their previous figures. Total traded shares hit 839.7 million worth 1.605 billion Iraqi dinars through 293 deals including 19 deals by non-Iraqi investors with over 4.5 million shares worth 13.2 million Iraqi dinars over the banking, industrial, services and hotel 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. SS (P) 1