Sico, number 1 broker in Bahrain for tenth consecutive year

The Firm completed a total number of 21,744 transactions, equaling almost 25% of the total transactions completed on the BSE during 2008. This represented a total trade volume of 1.35 billion shares equating to a total value of over BD651m ($1.7bn), representing a market share of 41.4% of the total value of all shares transacted on the BSE in 2008.

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 GCC institutional and international fund managers, prime brokers and banks. A significant amount of the BSE's turnover in 2008 was generated by regional and foreign investors, with the majority of trades being executed by Sico.

To support the growth of such business and expand activities across the region, Sico introduced an Agency Brokerage Desk in collaboration with counter-brokers and institutional clients. This is the first of its kind in Bahrain and one of the first in the GCC.

Commenting on the achievement, Anthony C. Mallis, Chief Executive Officer 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."

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 March 31st 2009, Sico reported total assets of BD85.3m, with shareholders' equity of BD44.5m. 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.