ISX index settles at 91.5 points in first post-Eid session

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index settled in its first session after Eidul-Fitr holiday on Tuesday at 91.5 points as 15 companies’ shares went down amidst a slight up and a trading volume of more than 1 billion Iraqi dinars (roughly $908,000). “Tuesday’s session saw more than 711.216 million shares exchanging hands at a total value of more than 1 billion dinars through 110 deals,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Non-Iraqi investors obtained 17 purchase deals worth 884 million dinars over the banking sector which took the lead today (Sept. 14) with 88% of the overall trading activities through 42 deals worth 965.9 million dinars over five firms, followed by the hotel sector with 5% through 19 deals worth 47.455 million dinars over five firms and the service sector with 4% through 32 deals worth 39 million dinars over one firm. Trading was modest over the industrial sector while there was zero trading activities over the investment, insurance and agricultural sectors. 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. AmR (S) 1