Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Monday Evening 12-22-25
The Iraqi Stock Exchange Is Approaching Two Billion Dinars In A Single Trading Session.
Stock Exchange The Iraq Stock Exchange recorded relative stability in its two main indices during Monday’s session, December 22, 2025, amid moderate trading and a limited increase in the number of traded shares, according to the daily report issued by the market.
The number of shares traded in the regular market and OTC reached about 779 million shares, with a financial value exceeding 1.96 billion Iraqi dinars, distributed among the shares of 119 listed companies, of which 52 companies were actually traded, while the share prices of 15 companies rose, compared to the decline in the share prices of 6 companies, and the prices of 10 companies remained stable without change.
The ISX 60 index recorded a slight increase to close at 986.22 points, compared to 984.01 points in the previous session, achieving a change of 0.22%, while the number of shares traded within the index reached about 2.21 million shares.
The ISX 15 index closed at 1,194.66 points, up from its previous close of 1,193.71 points, with a change of 0.08%, with approximately 0.95 million shares traded within the index.
As for the over-the-counter (OTC) market, the value of trades reached 1.96 billion dinars, distributed among 36 unlisted companies, with 11 companies rising, compared to 13 companies falling, while the number of executed OTC deals reached 1,165 deals.
In a related context, the report indicated that the Iraqi Refineries Company’s stock was excluded from the trading session for one day because its price exceeded the ceiling of 2,700 dinars, reaching 2,750 dinars at the current closing.
The market also announced that Tuesday, December 23, 2025 will be the last trading session of this year, with trading resuming with the first session of 2026 on Sunday, January 4. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=63713
Dollar Prices Rise As The Stock Exchange Closes
Monday, December 22, 2025 | Economy Number of views: 246 Baghdad/ NINA / The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar rose this afternoon in Baghdad's markets, following the closure of the stock exchange.
The dollar saw a slight increase in the main Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad, reaching 143,000 dinars per 100 dollars, compared to 142,900 dinars per 100 dollars this morning.
The selling price at currency exchange shops in Baghdad's local markets remained stable, at 143,500 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price was 142,500 dinars per 100 dollars.
In Erbil, the dollar also rose, reaching 142,100 dinars per 100 dollars for selling and 142,000 dinars per 100 dollars for buying. /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1267961
Two Factors Behind The Rise Of Gold And Silver To Historic Levels
Stock Exchange Gold and silver prices surged to record highs today, fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions and expectations of a US interest rate cut.
The rally boosted the metals' annual performance, marking their best year in over four decades.
Silver rose as much as 3.4% in Monday's trading, nearing the $70 per ounce mark, while gold climbed more than 1.5% to break the previous record of $4,381 per ounce set last October.
Experts attributed the historic leap to two main factors:
Monetary Outlook: Traders are betting on the US Federal Reserve (the central bank) cutting interest rates twice in 2026, especially given US President Donald Trump's calls for a more accommodative monetary policy. Lower interest rates are generally considered a catalyst for non-yielding precious metals.
Geopolitical Factors: Escalating international tensions are boosting the appeal of gold and silver as safe havens for investors. The US is intensifying its oil embargo on Venezuela, highlighting gold's exceptional role in 2024.
Gold has seen a meteoric rise of nearly 70% since the beginning of the year, supported by two key factors: institutional demand – increased purchases by global central banks and capital inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds – and global politics:
US President Donald Trump’s trade actions, along with his repeated threats to the independence of the US Federal Reserve, have added further momentum to the rise of the yellow metal.
What about other precious metals?
The rise was not limited to gold and silver; palladium also rose by more than 4% in 2025. Platinum also climbed for the eighth consecutive session, trading above $2,000 an ounce for the first time since 2008.
Dellen Wu, commodity strategist at Pepperstone Group, said, "A large part of today's rally is driven by early bets on Fed rate cut expectations, and this move has been compounded by thin year-end liquidity."
She added that weak job growth and lower-than-expected US inflation in November supported the scenario of further interest rate cuts. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=63707
Gold prices rise again in Baghdad. Economy |22/12/2025 Mawazin News - Baghdad: Gold prices, both foreign and Iraqi, saw a significant increase in local markets in Baghdad on Monday.
In the wholesale markets of Al-Nahr Street in Baghdad this morning, the selling price of one mithqal (approximately 4.5 grams) of 21-karat Gulf, Turkish, and European gold reached 890,000 Iraqi dinars, while the buying price was 886,000 dinars. This compares to Sunday's price of 877,000 dinars.
The selling price of one mithqal of 21-karat Iraqi gold reached 860,000 dinars, and the buying price was 856,000 dinars.
As for jewelry shops, the selling price of one mithqal of 21-karat Gulf gold ranged between 890,000 and 900,000 dinars, while the selling price of one mithqal of Iraqi gold ranged between 860,000 and 870,000 dinars.
https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271890
Oil Prices Rise Amid New Developments Off The Coast Of Venezuela
Economy | 22/12/2025 Oil prices rose in early trading on Monday, influenced by the US interception of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela earlier in the week.
Brent crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.73 percent, to $60.91 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 40 cents, or 0.71 percent, to $56.92 a barrel.
The US Coast Guard is also tracking an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, which would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful, according to Reuters.
Analysts say the oil price rebound was driven by geopolitical developments, starting with Trump's announcement of a "total and complete" embargo on Venezuelan oil tankers subject to sanctions and subsequent developments, as well as news of a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Mediterranean, further diminishing market hopes for a near-term peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude fell by about one percent last week, after both benchmark crudes fell by about four percent in the week that began on December 8. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271870
The Sudanese Government Discusses With Economic Experts The Government's Efforts To Diversify Revenue Sources.
Localities Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met on Monday with a group of leading Iraqi experts and university professors specializing in economics and finance to discuss ways to enhance financial stability and the government's efforts to diversify revenue sources.
A statement from his office, received by Economy News, indicated that "al-Sudani met today with a group of leading Iraqi experts and university professors specializing in economics and finance. They reviewed current economic developments and the challenges related to public financial management and foreign trade.
They also discussed ways to enhance financial stability, the government's efforts to diversify revenue sources, rationalize spending, support the private sector and involve it in development plans, stimulate productive activity, and create more job opportunities."
The Prime Minister emphasized that "this meeting comes within the framework of the government's commitment to broadening the scope of consultation and listening to specialized professional perspectives to discuss a range of economic, financial, and trade issues, in light of the fluctuations and challenges facing the global economy and their impact on the economic situation in Iraq."
The Prime Minister emphasized "the importance of leveraging national expertise in formulating economic, financial, and trade policies," stressing that "the current phase requires balanced decisions that combine immediate action to address challenges with ongoing structural reforms to ensure economic sustainability and safeguard social stability."
In this context, he directed that "these consultations continue and their outcomes be reflected in the government's economic vision and direction, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of decisions and keeping pace with current economic changes."
For their part, the participating economists presented a range of practical visions and proposals, affirming their support for the government's efforts to confront economic challenges and strengthen the reform process, thereby achieving the public interest and serving comprehensive development in the country. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=63712
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