ISX index up by 0.4% in last session before Eid

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up by 0.4% in the last session before Eid al-Fitr (Lesser Bairam) to close at 91.5 points as rates of shares of 11 out of a total 22 traded firms increased on Wednesday. Shares of 22 companies were traded in today’s session, of which 11 shares increased, 2 slumped, and 9 others maintained their previous levels. “More than 321.359 million shares exchanged hands at 439.266 million Iraqi dinars (roughly $375,000) through 210 deals,” according to an ISX news bulletin received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The banking sector took the lead with 65% of the overall trading through 84 deals worth 289 million dinars over 7 firms, followed by the service sector with 19% through 52 deals and the industrial sector with 11% through 61 deals worth 48 million dinras. Trading was modest over the hotel sector. 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