Among the highest paid players are footballers. The Icelandic stock market is showing signs of maturing. This year, share trading amounts to approximately 30 per cent of the total market value of all shares. For comparison, this number was just over 10 per cent in 1998. The ISE Main Index has risen by 34 per cent during 1999, and has never been higher than last Friday at 1.467 points.
Stock brokers are optimistic about the outlook for the next few months.
Although the Main Index is not expected to rise much, December is traditionally a month where many individuals purchase stocks in order to take advantage of a favourable tax rebate. I just couldn't bear the thought of walking outside and waiting for the bus with my legs burning from the cold. The freeze continued into Saturday night and many pub-goers stayed home. The sight of snaking queues full of Icelanders dressed up in their mostly-black wardrobes was absent. And instead of beer, I tried to drink a few Irish coffees to stay warm, but the bartenders here put too much whip cream on top, which cools the drink.