Iraq- ISX index down by 0.3% on Wednesday 

(MENAFN - Aswat Al-Iraq) The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index on Wednesday went down by 0.3 percent to close at 129.2 points as shares of 22 firms out of total 48 decreased.

Traded shares today hit one billion shares worth 2 billion dinars (1.8 million) through 481 deals.

Shares of 48 companies were traded in today's session, of which 14 shares jumped, 22 slumped, and 12 others maintained their previous levels.

The banking sector grabbed the lion's share of today's trading with 72% through 229 deals worth 1.538 billion dinars over 15 firms, followed by the service sector with 12% through 105 deals worth 263 million dinars over 5 firms, the industrial sector came third with 8% of the overall trading through 84 deals worth 171 million dinars over 13 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.