Iraq Absent From Top US Treasury Holders List
2026-10-19 17:56 Shafaq News- Washington Iraq was absent from the list of major foreign holders of US Treasury securities in August 2026, as total foreign holdings rose to $9.3317 trillion from $9.2484 trillion in July, according to US Treasury Department data released on October 16.
Saudi Arabia ranked 17th, with $141.2 billion in US Treasuries, down from $142.4 billion in July, while the UAE placed 19th with $116.1 billion, up from $110.1 billion. Japan topped the list at $1.0683 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom with $1.0095 trillion and China with $590.7 billion.
Iraq’s holdings reached $42 billion in December 2025, up from $41.1 billion in November, according to US Treasury data.
Its absence from the latest ranking does not mean it has sold all its holdings. Countries outside the leading group fall under the Treasury’s broader reporting categories, while securities held through foreign custodians may not always reflect their ultimate owners.
Read more: Iraq diversifies reserves beyond US treasuries
Brent Tops $110 As Middle East Tensions Escalate
2026-10-20 01:22 Shafaq News Oil prices advanced on Tuesday, with Brent hovering around a five-month high as traders priced in a geopolitical risk premium from Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and reports of vessel attacks in the Gulf.
Brent crude futures climbed 55 cents, or 0.50%, to $110.10 a barrel by 0319 GMT, after rising as high as $110.70 a barrel in the previous session to their highest since May 20.
The US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) contract for November delivery, set to expire on Tuesday, was up 0.24% to $103.91. The more-active December contract rose 39 cents, or 0.40%, to $98.93.
“Oil prices remain well-supported … This suggests the market is pricing in a significant risk premium, given the situation’s volatility,” ING analysts said in a note on Tuesday.
“However, if flows continue uninhibited despite the geopolitical environment, the risk premium would likely erode slowly. Clearly, there are no signs of this yet.”
At least 18 vessels were reportedly attacked over two weeks, which keeps the risk premium intact, shiptracker Kpler said in a note on Monday.
HOUTHIS CLAIM ATTACKS ON SAUDI FACILITIES
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they launched several attacks on Saudi energy, airport and military targets, such as an Aramco (2222.SE) site in Yanbu, the Shaybah oilfield, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and Abha airport.
Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the claims and Reuters could not independently verify them.
Also on Monday, a Houthi attack on a training camp for government security forces in Yemen’s Shabwa province killed 58 people with more than 200 injured.
The renewed attacks heightened fears about regional stability and underscored continuing risks to energy supply from the region, keeping oil prices above $100 a barrel.
In the US, crude oil stockpiles were expected to have fallen last week along with product inventories, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.
Friday’s executive order by President Donald Trump waived key Russia-related US sanctions and tariffs, including goods duties and penalties for purchases of its energy.
However, Trump said on Saturday he had yet to announce a final decision on the matter, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials wanted more time to evaluate the situation.
Russia’s crude oil production increased by 65,000 barrels per day in September to 8.43 million bpd, but remained about 870,000 bpd below that of a year ago, the International Energy Agency said last week.
“While the prospect of additional Russian diesel supply offers some theoretical relief, traders appear far more focused on the ongoing risk of further damage to energy infrastructure across the Gulf region,” said Tim Waterer, KCM Trade chief analyst. (Reuters) https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/Brent-tops-110-as-Middle-East-tensions-escalate
Basrah Crudes Fall Despite Rising Brent, WTI
2026-10-20 02:50 Shafaq News- Basrah Iraq’s Basrah crude prices fell by up to 3.4% on Tuesday despite gains in benchmark crude futures.
Basrah Heavy crude dropped $2.38, or 3.40%, to $67.70 per barrel, while Basrah Medium crude fell $1.38, or 1.89%, to $71.70 per barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 39 cents, or 0.40%, to $98.93 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 55 cents, or 0.50%, to $110.10 per barrel. https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/Basrah-crudes-fall-despite-rising-Brent-WTI
US Dollar Dips In Baghdad And Erbil
2026-10-20 03:40 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil The US dollar opened Tuesday’s trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 168,000 dinars per 100 dollars.
According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 168,250 dinars per 100 dollars, down from the previous session’s 168,600 dinars.
In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 168,750 dinars and bought it at 167,750 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 168,050 dinars and buying prices at 167,950 dinars.
Gold Drops In Baghdad And Erbil
2026-10-20 05:33 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil On Tuesday, gold prices fell in Baghdad and Erbil markets, hovering around 980,000 IQD per mithqal, according to a Shafaq News survey.
Gold prices on Baghdad’s Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 974,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 970,000 IQD, down from Monday’s 990,000 IQD.
The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 944,000 IQD, while the buying price reached 956,000 IQD.
In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 975,000 and 985,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 945,000 and 955,000 IQD.
In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1,035,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 990,000 IQD, and 18-carat gold at 847,000 IQD. https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-drops-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil
Iraq’s Oil Exports To China Surge 248%
2026-10-20 06:58 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Beijing China’s crude oil imports from Iraq surged 248% from August to September, reaching 4.84 million tons, or about 1.18 million barrels per day (bpd), despite falling 19% year-on-year, according to Chinese customs data.
Read more: Iraqi oil exports recover after regional conflict
Russia remained China’s largest crude supplier, shipping 9.94 million tons, or about 2.42 million bpd, up 20% from a year earlier but down 11% from August. Brazil supplied 5.15 million tons, or about 1.25 million bpd, an 18% annual increase, while Saudi shipments fell 62% to 2.70 million tons, or roughly 660,000 bpd.
Brazil also overtook Saudi Arabia as China’s second-largest crude supplier in the first nine months of 2026, shipping 44.29 million tons compared with 43.12 million tons from the Kingdom.
Elsewhere, Chinese imports from Oman reached 1.22 million tons, or about 300,000 bpd, down 54% year-on-year but up 30% from August. Imports from Malaysia, a major transshipment hub for sanctioned Iranian oil, fell 70% year-on-year and 56% from August to 1.16 million tons, or about 280,000 bpd.
Chinese customs recorded no crude imports from the United States, Venezuela, or Iran in September, unchanged from the same month last year. https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-s-oil-exports-to-China-surge-248
ISX Trading Value Plunges 67% Weekly
2026-10-20 08:10 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) recorded trading worth more than 2 billion Iraqi dinars (about $1.68 million) last week, down 67% from the previous week.
According to market data, 1.852 billion shares were traded, an increase of 6.8% from the previous week, with total trading value reaching 2.560 billion dinars across 3,676 transactions.
The ISX60 index closed at 943.57 points, down 1.54% from the previous session.
Shares in 57 companies were traded during the week, while 36 companies recorded no activity because buy and sell orders did not match. Trading in 11 other companies remained suspended because they had not submitted required disclosures.
Non-Iraqi investors purchased 158 million shares worth 331 million dinars in 55 transactions. They also sold 5 million shares worth 10 million dinars in 38 transactions.
The Iraq Stock Exchange holds five trading sessions a week, from Sunday to Thursday, and lists 103 Iraqi joint-stock companies operating across the banking, telecommunications, industrial, agricultural, insurance, financial investment, tourism, hotel, and services sectors. https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/ISX-trading-value-plunges-67-weekly