ISX trades over 1 billion shares on Tuesday

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) on Tuesday saw more than 1.154 billion shares exchanging hands at a value of 2.088 billion Iraqi dinars ($1.7 million) through 466 transactions over 36 out of a total 73 electronically registered firms. Rates of shares of 9 companies went up, 21 down while 6 retained their previous rates in a session that saw non-Iraqi investors trading over 186.6 million shares worth 415.2 million Iraqi dinars. The banking sector came in the lead today with 71% of the trading activities through 250 contracts over stocks of 16 banking firms, followed by the industrial sector with 16% of the trading activities through 138 contracts over stocks of 8 industrial firms. The ISX witnessed the first e-trading session on April 19 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 (P)/SR 1