ISX index down on Thursday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index on Thursday went down by 0.9% to close at 94 points as shares of 21 firms out of total 40 decreased. Traded shares today hit more than one billion worth $1.771 billion through 555 deals. Shares of 40 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 12 shares jumped, 21 slumped, and seven others maintained their previous levels. The industrial sector grabbed the lion’s share of today’s trading with 35% through 289 deals worth 632 million dinars over 12 firms, followed by the hotel sector with 31% through 79 deals worth 549 million dinars over seven firms, the banking sector came third with 19% of the overall trading through 80 deals worth 340 million dinars over 8 firms and the service sector with 220 million dinars through 84 deals over four 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 (S)/SR 1