ISX index slightly down , closes at 89.7 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index saw a slight decrease of 0.01% to close at 89.7 points on Tuesday as rates of shares of 9 out of a total 29 traded firms slumped, compared to the previous session’s 0.9% to close at 89.7 points. “Some 638.536 million shares were traded during today’s session at 982.807 million Iraqi dinars (roughly $692,000) through 433 deals. Rates of shares of 11 firms went up while 9 retained their previous levels,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Non-Iraqi investors obtained 54 purchase deals worth 138 million dinars over the banking, industrial and service sectors. The industerial sector took the lead in today’s session with 30% of the overall trading activities through 148 deals over 11 firms, followed by the banking sector with 26% through 98 deals worth 263 million dinars over seven firms and the hotel sector with 25% through 140 deals worth 257 million dinars. Trading was modest over the investment and insurance 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, 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