The Irish Stock Exchange [ISE] has published its statistical review covering the first quarter of the year [January – March inclusive].
The review confirms that over half a million share deals [570,000] were made through the Irish Stock Exchange in the first quarter of the year. This is similar in transaction volume levels to the first quarter of last year – however, as a result of falling stock prices, the value of all trades done in this quarter fell significantly to approximately 27% of the value of equivalent trades done in the same period in 2008 [Q1 2009 €10.8bn v Q1 2008 €40.4bn].
€1.3 billion raised in equity markets
Eight companies raised almost €1.3 billion in the first quarter, the most significant of these being the CRH plc rights issue in March.
€12.5 billion raised from 5 new Irish Government Bonds/Treasury Bills & Turnover increases by 64% to €25 billion
The National Treasury Management Agency issued 2 new Irish Government Bonds, maturing in 2012 and 2014, and 3 new short term Treasury Bills this quarter, raising a total of €12.5 billion and increasing the number of Irish Government Bonds and Treasury Bills trading on the Exchange to 16. Turnover in Government Bonds and Treasury Bills grew significantly, up 64% to €25 billion, compared to the same period last year.
International Listing Statistics
The global downturn in demand for specialist financial products continues to have an effect on new listings. New fund and sub fund listings in the quarter were 38 and the total number of funds and sub-funds listed on the Exchange was 3,501 at the end of March 2009. The Exchange listed 756 new specialist debt products bringing the total of debt tranches listed on the Exchange to 24,266 at the end of Q1 2009.
ISEQ
In terms of performance of the ISEQ, the index declined by 6% during the quarter mainly as a result of the fall in the financial index of 52%. This decline of 6% was in line with other international indices.
Click here to download the Irish Stock Exchange statistical review for Q1 2009.