ISX trade shows mixed results, August 28 2007

 

 

 

Trade in Iraqi stocks in the ISX today showed mixed results. A plunge in prices was counterbalanced by a rise in trade volume and most significant of all a surge in trade by foreigners. Foreigners who were only sanctioned to buy and sell Iraqi listed shares in the ISX few weeks ago formed today 8% of overall trade value. The ISX reports the number of foreigner deals up to 26 contracts making up 9% of a total of 280. Value wise foreign trade was also up to ID67 million which is also 8% of a total of ID832.

 

The good news regarding increased volume of trade by non Iraqis failed however to stem a significant fall in prices. Thirteen listed companies, out of 34, ended today’s trade session, August 28 2007, on the down side. As a result the ISX official price index was down by nearly 2%. Total market capitalization value calculated at closing prices was likewise down by 1.5% to $1,631 million.

 

On the positive side was the significant increase in trade volume. Still below the average of ID1,000 million, trade volume improved on previous session by some 13% rising to ID831 million or $0.66 million. The low turnover may be partially explained by religious festivities taking place this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

current session

 

previous session

%change

Market Volume Traded (shares million)

523.91

 

398.91

 

31.33

Market Value Traded (ID m)

 

831.71

 

732.06

 

13.61

Market Capitalization (ID billon)

 

2055.10

 

2086.82

 

-1.52

Number of Transaction

 

280

 

150

 

86.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Value Traded ($m)

 

                    0.6601

 

0.58100

 

13.61

Market Capitalization ($billon)

 

1.631

 

1.66

 

-1.52

 

 

Much of the fall was felt in the banking sector composed of nineteen private banks listed in the exchange with a total number of outstanding shares just over 600 billion shares each with a par value of ID1. In all there was trade in 12 such stocks out of which seven were down, one up and the rest static.

 

Almost half of the trade in banking stocks was in the shares of Warkaa Bank. The bank which is controlled by the veteran Buniya business family has 51 billion shares outstanding. In recent years the bank has shown a serious of healthy balance sheets from business in foreign trade and investments. However, in today’s trade the bank share ended the day down by 6% closing ID 1.65. In all there were 56 contracts dealt in the bank’s shares with a value of ID 266 million involving the exchange of some 161 million shares.

 

The Gulf Bank was the biggest loser among banking stocks today losing as much as 11% of its value. The bank was established in the late 1990s and is controlled by the multi-million dollar Bahrani business family whose wide ranging interests include besides banking the manufacture of dairy products and also hotels. The Gulf Bank is ranked among the smaller commercial banks in Iraq with a paid up capital of only ID 22 billion. At today’s closing price of ID 1.55 the bank market value is equal to approximately $27 million.

 

Overall market capitalization of the banks listed in the ISX calculated at today’s closing prices was $1,200 million making up 73% of total market value. This figure is down from previous trade session by 1.7%. Banking in Iraq is among the fastest growing sectors. Its activities were among the least effected by the poor security conditions prevailing in much of Iraq.

 

 

 

 

Market Breadth

Advancers

8

Decliners

13

Unchanged

13

Total Traded

34

Total not Traded

60

Total

94

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: This document has been compiled and issued by Kubba Consultants, which has obtained the information from sources it believes to be reliable, but Kubba Consultants makes no guarantee as to either its accuracy or completeness and has not carried out an independent verification. Kubba Consultants accepts no responsibility or liability for losses or damages incurred as a result of opinions formed and decisions made based on information presented in this report. This document is not an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any securities. The opinions and estimates expressed herein are those of the issuer.

© Kubba Consultants 2007