ISX index up by 0.01% to close at 90 points

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up slightly on Wednesday by 0.01% to close at 90 points as 5 companies’ shares increased. “Wednesday’s session saw more than 439.860 million shares exchanging hands at a total value of 609.404 million dinars ($520,000) through 331 deals,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Shares of 19 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 5 shares increased, 7 slumped, and 7 others maintained their previous levels. The service sector took the lead today (Sept. 22) with 63% of the overall trading activities through 218 deals over three firms, followed by the banking sector with 28% through 72 deals over seven firms and the hotel sector with 5% through 18 deals worth 29.5 million dinars 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, 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. SH (S) 1