ISX index goes down, closes at 94.4 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went down slightly by 0.3% to close at 94.4 points as trading took place on Wednesday over shares of 28 out of a total of 83 electronically-registered firms. Shares of four companies went up, 15 down while 9 others retained their previous rates. The number of shares traded hit 4.200 billion shares worth more than 7.951 million Iraqi dinars through 146 deals. The banking sector took the lead during the session with 98% of the trading activities through 69 deals worth ID 7.8 billion over 11 firms, followed by the hotel sector through 17 deals worth ID 61 million over four firms and the service sector through 36 deals worth ID 39 million 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, 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