Amman, July 25 (Petra) – Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) recorded positive performance during the week of July 19-23, driven by increased trading values and an improved general index.
The industrial sector led market activity, reflecting continued investor interest in industrial stocks despite a mixed performance by other sectors.
ASE data showed the average daily trading volume rose to about JD14.7 million, compared to JD12.6 million the previous week, a growth rate of 16.6 percent.
The total trading value spiked to JD73.4 million, compared to JD62.9 million in the previous week, while some 21.9 million shares were traded in 21,910 transactions.
The industrial sector took the lion's share of the trading value, at about JD27.3 million, accounting for 37.2 percent of total trading. It was followed by the financial sector, at around JD25.5 million, 34.7 percent, and the services sector at JD20.7 million, 28.1 percent. The general share price index rose by 0.32 percent, closing at 3932.4 points, compared to 3920 points the previous week.
The increase was driven by the strong performance of the industrial sector, which recorded a growth of 2.65 percent, in addition to a 0.75 percent rise in the financial sector. However, a 2.22 percent decline in the services sector shrank the market's gains.
Trading indicators point to a relatively robust market, with the share prices of 50 out of 125 companies rising, while the prices of 45 dropped. The remaining shares were flat, reflecting continued selectivity in investor decisions and a focus on companies with strong operational performance and promising investment opportunities.
National Steel Industries topped the list of the week's biggest gainers, surging 18.95 percent, followed by the Jordanian for Developing and Financial Investment (JDFI) at 16.36 percent, then Al Shamkha Real Estate and Financial Investments, and Enjaz for Development and Multi-Projects, each rising 10.53 percent. Arab Investment Projects came in fifth with an 8.51 percent increase.
Conversely, Jordan Insurance led the list of biggest losers, dropping 9.26 percent, followed by National Aluminum Industries, at 6.67 percent, then Coordinates Real Estate at 6.25 percent, Jordan Housing for Land Development and Industrial Projects at 5.71 percent, and Jordan Petroleum Refinery (JOPETROL) at 5.40 percent.
The rising trading volumes and upward trend of the general index reflect an improved market activity. However, the mixed performance of sectors and stocks indicates that investors are still adopting a selective approach, with a clear focus on companies and sectors with better growth and profitability opportunities.
//Petra//SS
