The value of stocks traded on the Dublin market fell by €44.2 billion over the year to the end of July, according to new figures from the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE).
The total value of equities traded on the exchange declined from €68.7billion to €24.5 billion with over 1.15 million trades dealt.
During the first half of 2009, 13 companies raised a total of €1.358 billion on the market; the most significant fund raising being the CRH rights issue in March of €1.278 billion.
Turnover in Irish Government Bonds and Treasury Bills increased sharply during the period, with trading of over €62.8 billion more than doubling the €31.3 billion recorded in the first half of 2008.
During the first half of the year, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) issued 3 new Irish Government Bonds, maturing in 2012, 2014 and 2019, and 11 new short term Treasury Bills in the period raising €36.2 billion and increasing the number of Irish Government Bonds and Treasury Bills trading on the ISE to 21.
The number of primary dealers in Irish Government Bonds also increased with J P Morgan Securities admitted as a member firm of the Exchange in June, bringing the total number of primary dealers in Irish Government Bonds to 11.
The value of the Iseq rose by 15 per cent over the past six months with financial companies value gaining 41 per cent.