April 1, 2010 - 01:31:53
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index went up slightly by 0.9% to close at 91.5 points as trading took place on Thursday over shares of 43 out of a total of 82 electronically-registered firms.

Shares of 25 companies went up, 5 down while 13 others retained their previous rates.

The number of shares traded hit 908.851 million shares worth 1.257 billion Iraqi dinars (roughly 1 million U.S. dollars) through 390 deals.

The banking sector took the lead during Tuesday’s session with 57% of the trading activities through 194 deals worth ID724 million over 17 firms, followed by the industrial sector with 23% through 136 deals over 11 firms and the services sector with 12% through 136 deals 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, 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.

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