ISX closes at 92.8 points on Wednesday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up slightly by 0.16% to close at 92.8 points as rates of shares of 14 out of a total 29 firms traded in today’s session increased. Wednesday’s session saw more than 521.344 million shares exchanging hands at more than 677.964 million Iraqi dinars (roughly $579,000) through 260 deals, with non-Iraqi investors obtaining 5 purchase deals worth 16.2 million dinars over the banking sector. Twenty-nine out of a total 85 electronically-registered companies traded stocks today (June 2) with 14 going up, five down and 10 retaining their previous rates. The banking sector took the lead with 64% of the overall trading through 59 deals worth more than 434 million dinars over 7 firms, followed by the industrial sector with 29% through 112 deals worth 147.6 million dinars over 12 firms and the service sector with 7% through 38 deals worth 49.5 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, 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