(Sukuk.net - Jordan Times) The ASE general index regained its upward trend driven by increasing share prices of a number of strategic companies in the mining sector. The general index recorded handsome gains in each of the first three trading sessions affected by the positive performance of most regional and international markets before profit-taking activities made the index shed some points on Wednesday. However, the index regained momentum on Thursday and ended the week at 2955.01 points, an increase of 4.21 per cent compared to the previous week.

As for next week, we expect the index to continue trailing the performance of other regional markets with a chance for a correction in the first few days as a result of profit-taking activities.

All sector indices recorded positive gains for this week with the industrial sector being the biggest gainer as the sector's index increased by 11.54 per cent during this week's trading session.

As for the trading activity, 134.07 million shares exchanged hands. Moreover, advancers outnumbered decliners, as 97 companies out of 203 advanced, while 83 declined.

In terms of the value traded by sector, the services sector came in first place accounting for 26.3 per cent of the total value traded followed by the real estate sector with 21.7 per cent and then the industrial sector which accounted for 19.6 per cent of the value traded for this week.

The most actively traded shares during this week were the shares of Al-Tajamouat for Catering & Housing, Methaq for Real Estate Investment and International brokerage & Financial Markets Company with a combined value traded of JD39.16 million accounting for 12.81 per cent of the week's total value traded.

Additionally, two block deals were executed during the week on the shares of Amwal Invest and Specialised Investments Compounds with transaction value of JD0.64 million and JD0.50 million respectively.

The Jordan Securities Commission's (JSC) board of commissioners has approved the registration of 6.45 million new shares in the paid-up capital of The Arab Banking Corporation through the capitalisation of retained earnings.

The general assembly of Darkom Finance and Investments approved the BOD's recommendation to increase the company's paid-up capital from JD10 million to JD25 million through a private placement to existing shareholders at par value.

The JSC's board of commissioners has approved the registration of 2 million new shares in the paid-up capital of Islamic Insurance through the capitalisation of retained earnings and voluntary reserves.

The JSC's board of commissioners has approved the registration of 1.5 million new shares in the paid-up capital of Al-Bilad Securities & Investment Co. through the capitalisation of retained earnings.

The JSC's board of commissioners has approved the registration of 3.53 million new shares in the paid-up capital of Al-Zarqa Educational & Investment through the capitalisation of retained earnings and special & voluntary reserves.

According to data issued by the Department of Lands and Survey, the real estate trading volume in Jordan reached JD1.6 billion by the end of May 2009 compared to JD2.5 billion during the same period last year, recording a drop of 34 per cent.

According to the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), total deposits at licensed banks reached JD18.79 billion during the first quarter of 2009, representing an increase of 3.3 per cent.

According to data issued by the CBJ, total credit facilities extended by licensed banks dropped by JD140.7 million or 1.1 per cent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to an increase of JD614.6 million or 5.4 per cent during the same period last year.
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