Iraq- Slight increase in ISX index 

(MENAFN - Aswat Al-Iraq) The Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) index on Wednesday went up slightly by 0.18 percent to close at 129.2 points as shares of 9 firms out of total 45 increased.

Traded shares today hit 4 billion shares worth 12 billion dinars ( 10.6 million) through 1055 deals.

Shares of 45 companies were traded in today's session, of which 9 shares jumped, 22 slumped, and 14 others maintained their previous levels.
The banking sector grabbed the lion's share of today's trading with 75% through 277 deals worth 9.3 billion dinars over 15 firms, followed by the service sector with 21% through 602 deals worth 2.6 billion dinars over 5 firms, the industrial sector came third with 2% of the overall trading through 124 deals worth 257 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.