Gold Declines Slightly After The Release Of The Minutes Of The US Federal Reserve Meeting
Thursday, August 21, 2025, | Economic Number of readings: 137 Baghdad/ NINA / Gold prices fell slightly after the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting showed agreement to keep interest rates steady. Gold fell at the beginning of spot transactions by 0.2 percent to $3,340.09 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery fell by 0.2 percent to $3,382.30.
Silver also lost 0.2 percent during spot transactions to $37.83 per ounce, platinum by 1 percent to $1,326.93, and palladium by 0.8 percent to $1,105.12. /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1247522
Al-Sudani: The Presence Of Major Oil Companies In Iraq Reflects The Government’s Interest In The Energy Sector.
Energy Economy News – Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received Shannon Slocum, CEO of Halliburton, an American oil and energy company, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday.
Al-Sudani stressed that the presence of major oil companies in Iraq reflects the government’s interest in the energy sector in Iraq and its efforts to develop it according to modern international standards and through the best energy companies.
He emphasized the government’s vision for developing the oil and gas sectors and its keenness to ensure that development takes place with the highest possible capabilities provided by advanced technology, and Iraq’s continued expansion of its use of associated gas and the production of petroleum derivatives, according to a statement from his media office received by the “Wadeh” platform.
Al-Sudani pointed out the importance of expanding the scope of work with Halliburton, given its expertise and capabilities in the fields of extraction and refining, and its possession of modern global technologies. He affirmed his support for the company’s work in developing the Nahr Bin Omar and Sindbad fields in Basra Governorate.
For his part, Slocom affirmed Halliburton’s interest in operating in Iraq, given the country’s progress across all sectors, its stability, and its openness to major international industrial companies. He explained that the company is committed to providing the latest technological developments in oil and gas fields, after finalizing the contract model.
He also stated that the company will employ modern administrative and technical methods in its work, and is committed to developing the skills of the Iraqi cadres working with it. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=59069
Oil Prices Maintain Gains
Time: 2025/08/21 07:25:18 Read: 480 times {Economic: Al Furat News} Oil prices maintained their gains after U.S. crude inventories recorded their largest decline since mid-June, remaining well below the seasonal average.
Brent crude traded around $67 a barrel after rising 1.6% on Wednesday, while West Texas Intermediate crude held steady around $63.
Data from the Energy Information Administration showed that US crude inventories fell by 6 million barrels last week. Gasoline inventories also fell for the fifth consecutive week.
Trump’s Policies Pressure the Market
Despite the recent rally, oil prices remain down more than 10% since the beginning of the year due to concerns about the repercussions of US trade policies, while the OPEC+ alliance ended its voluntary cuts. These factors have increased expectations of a market glut once peak summer demand subsides. Traders are also monitoring developments in efforts to reach a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. LINK
The Iraq Stock Exchange Exceeds 70 Billion Dinars In Trading Value In One Week.
Stock Exchange Economy News – Baghdad The Iraq Stock Exchange announced on Thursday that it had traded shares worth more than 70 billion dinars during five trading sessions this week, which is drawing to a close.
According to trading indicators, the number of shares traded this week exceeded 68 billion, with a value exceeding 70 billion dinars.
The ISX60 market index closed the first session of the week at (941.21) points, while the index closed at the end of the week at (927.67) points, achieving an increase of (1.59%) over its closing at the beginning of the session.
The ISX15 index closed the first session of the week at 1113.66 points, while the index closed at the end of the week at 1119.00 points, achieving an increase of 0.53% over its closing at the beginning of the session.
During the week, (4712) buy and sell contracts were executed on shares of companies listed on the market. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=59070
Under The Patronage Of The Prime Minister, The Securities And Commodities Authority Announces Tangible Achievements In Four Areas.
Yesterday, 14:58 Baghdad – INA The Securities Commission announced on Wednesday
tangible achievements in four areas, noting that these accomplishments constitute a fundamental pillar of a comprehensive strategy aimed at making the Iraqi market a vital contributor to the national economy and an attraction for local and foreign investment.
The Chairman of the Commission, Faisal Al-Haimus, said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA):
“The Commission has achieved qualitative achievements in developing the capital market under the auspices of the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani,” noting that
“a qualitative leap and tangible achievements have been achieved in the Iraq Stock Exchange during the years (2024-2025), within the framework of the directives and continuous support of the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, which reflects the government’s firm commitment to stimulating the investment environment and consolidating the foundations of financial stability in the country.”
He explained that “these achievements, which encompass legislative, technical, and regulatory aspects,aim to develop the financial market’s infrastructure, enhance transparency, protect investor rights, and achieve alignment with international standards.”
He pointed out that “the most prominent milestones that have been achieved are:
First: On the legislative and regulatory level:
The draft Securities Law was approved, its preparation was completed, and it received Cabinet approval. It is now before the House of Representatives for the second reading.
– Approval of the internal regulations of the Iraq Stock Exchange and the organizational structure, as well as the internal regulations of the Iraqi Depository Center.
– Activating new regulations that include margin trading, licensing brokerage firms, and exchanging listed shares for new listed shares.
– Regulating the return of shares of listed companies after general assembly meetings and xat fair indicative prices.
– Activating the unified chest health system to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of operations.
Second: On the level of developing infrastructure and technology:
Digital transformation and enhanced transparency by
modernizing trading mechanisms in cooperation with specialized companies.
– Supervising the emergency storage project (HOT/DR Backup), which is
currently in the final preparation phase to ensure the continuity of the market’s operations.
– Developing electronic disclosure systems.
Renewing the license for the trading system (Xstrem) to immediately disclose the
financial status of companies and interest rates directly on the trading platform.
– Establishing an electronic archiving system and activating and fully operating its stations.
– Establishing an electronic information station for the Authority to serve the public and investors.
Available on the website.
Third: On the level of developing trading mechanisms and diversifying services:
Launching a new trading platform to allow small shareholders of companies that do not disclose their financial data to trade.
– Launching a platform for trading over-the-counter (OTC) stocks, where (19) companies have been listed so far.
– Launching a new price index (ISX15), which is the first index in the market that relies on the market value of free float shares to calculate the weights of the companies that comprise it.
Launching electronic trading platforms via smart devices in cooperation with brokerage firms
to facilitate access to the market.
Fourth: At the level of international cooperation and capacity building:
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, under the patronage of the Prime Minister, with the aim of strengthening relations between the two countries’ financial markets and creating joint investment and trade opportunities.
Signing a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority to
exchange expertise and information and raise levels of transparency and efficiency in accordance with best practices.
– An agreement with the British Institute for Securities and Investment to develop the performance of the sector’s workforce.
– Agreement with the Egyptian company (ESG) to develop infrastructure and enhance online trading.
He stressed that “these achievements constitute a fundamental pillar of a comprehensive strategy aimed at making the Iraqi Stock Exchange a vital contributor to the national economy and an attraction for both local and foreign investment.”
https://ina.iq/ar/economie/241388-.html
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