ISX index down, closes at 90.5 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went down slightly on Monday by 0.19% to close at 90.5 points as 9 companies’ shares decreased. “Monday’s session saw more than 432.953 million shares exchanging hands at a total value of 640 million dinars ($547,000) through 315 deals,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Shares of 26 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 12 shares increased, 9 slumped, and 5 others maintained their previous levels. The service sector took the lead today (Sept. 27) with 48% of the overall trading activities through 140 deals over four firms, followed by the banking sector with 33% through 87 deals over nine firms and the hotel sector with 11% through 47 deals worth 73 million dinars over six 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)/SR 1