ISX index rises further, closes at 92.6 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index registered a further increase of 0.4% to close at 92.6 points as rates of shares of 12 out of a total of 41 companies traded during Monday’s session went up. Rates of 14 companies’ shares went down, 12 up and 15 retaining their previous prices. The number of traded shares hit 334.7 million worth 761.6 million Iraqi dinars (roughly $651,000) through 247 deals, including three that went to non-Iraqi investors with a number of shares of 3.5 million worth 8.9 million dinars over the banking and industry sectors. The banking sector came in the lead with 53% of the whole trading today (Feb. 22) through 120 deals over 16 banking firms, followed by the hotel sector with 26% of the whole trading activities through 51 deals over nine firms and the services sector with 14% through 30 deals over six companies. 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 (S) 1