Manama - 31st March 2010 - Securities & Investment Company (SICO), the Bahrain based Investment bank, announced today that it has maintained its leading position as the most active broker on the Bahrain Stock Exchange ("BSE") both in terms of volume and value for the eleventh consecutive year.

The Firm executed a total number of 12,517 transactions, which was equal to almost 21% of the total transactions completed on the BSE during 2009. This represented a total trade volume of 672 million shares equating to a total value of over BD121.7 million (USD322.8 million), representing a market share of 34% of the total value of all shares transacted on the BSE in 2009. The Firm managed three of the largest transactions on the BSE in 2009.

SICO continued to build its business with Bahraini, regional and foreign investors, further enhancing its status as the 'broker of choice' on the BSE for international fund managers, prime brokers and financial institutions.  Over 50 per cent of the BSE's turnover is generated by foreign investors, with most of the trading being executed by SICO.

The Firm also expanded its cross-border activities in 2009. This enabled clients to trade listed investment opportunities available throughout the GCC and MENA, including Jordan and Egypt, together with access to the fixed income market.

Commenting on the achievement, Anthony C. Mallis, Securities & Investment Company's CEO, said, "We are delighted to maintain our leading position on the Bahrain Stock Exchange. As an increasing number of Bahraini, regional and foreign investors seek to access Gulf stock exchanges such as the BSE, SICO is ideally equipped with the right team, skills and knowledge to be able to execute and support client's orders. SICO continues to offer investors access to listed investment opportunities throughout the GCC, where we have also undertaken some of the largest trades in those markets."

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About Securities & Investment Company
Securities & Investment Company is a wholesale bank offering a selective range of investment banking services, including asset management, brokerage, corporate finance and market-making, on a regional basis and with a particular emphasis on Bahrain. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, SICO Fund Services Company (SFS), SICO also provides custody and fund administration services.

As of December 31st, 2009, SICO reported  total assets of BD82.6 million, with shareholders' equity of BD 53.8 million. SICO's shares have been listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange since May 2003. Securities & Investment Company was the first 'closed' company to list on the exchange.

© Press Release 2010