ISX trades over 1 billion shares on Wed.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) on Wednesday saw more than 1.114 billion shares exchanging hands at a value of 2.106 billion Iraqi dinars ($1.8 million) through 366 transactions over 33 out of a total 73 electronically registered firms. Rates of shares of 13 companies went up, 12 down while eight retained their previous rates in a session that saw non-Iraqi investors trading over 750,000 shares worth 3.547 million Iraqi dinars. The banking sector came in the lead today with 77% of the trading activities through 178 contracts over stocks of 14 banking firms, followed by the industrial sector with 16% of the trading activities through 134 contracts over stocks of eight 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. SS (S)/SR 1