Even thought stock trading started as early as 1930 in Jordan, the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) was established in 1999. ASE is a non-profit institution, providing electronic trading for international and local investors, monitoring market trading with the coordination of Jordan Securities Commission, and ensuring timely and accurate information to the market and the public.

By beginning 2006, ASE signed an agreement with the international news network Bloomberg to air live information about ASE trading. Bloomberg will provide detailed and instant information as well as background on ASE trading prices that will reach all Bloomberg subscribers including international financial services as well as investment companies and banks.

Share price index of the ASE reached an all time high during the year 2005 reaching 9,348 points in 8/11/2005, and closed by the end of the year 2005 at 8,192 points, a 93 percent rise compared to the year 2004 closing. The Banking index has increased by 134 percent, Insurance by 98 percent, Services by 78 percent, and Industry by 15 percent.

During 2005, the net investment of non-Jordanians showed a positive balance of JD 413.4 million, compared to JD 68.9 million during 2004. As a result, non- Jordanian ownership in the ASE market capitalization increased to 45.3 percent compared with 41.3 percent of total market capitalization at the end of 2004.

Stocks purchased by non-Jordanian investors during 2005 totaled JD 2,152.3 million, representing 12.8 per cent of the overall trading volume while stocks sold amounted JD 1,739.2 million during 2005.