
Iraq Stock Exchange reports over 11B IQD traded in strong final week of May
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) announced on Thursday (May 29, 2025) a robust trading performance for the fourth and final week of May. Over 11 billion Iraqi dinars in value was traded across more than 6 billion shares during five sessions.
The market demonstrated positive momentum, with key indices showing gains. The main ISX60 index closed the week at 1017.58 points, marking a 1.45% increase from its opening at 1002.79 points. Similarly, the ISX15 index finished higher at 1145.42 points, up 1.90% from its weekly start of 1123.69 points.
A total of 3,894 buy and sell contracts were executed on listed company shares throughout the week.
This active trading week underscores continued investor engagement in the Iraqi bourse, concluding May on a positive note for the market's key performance indicators.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Christian Alliance in Iraq protests government's salary freeze
Shafaq News/ The Christian Alliance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region filed a formal complaint against the federal government and the Ministry of Finance, protesting the suspension of salary payments for 1.2 million Kurdish civil servants. The alliance submitted the complaint to the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, describing the decision to halt funding as a 'flagrant violation of basic human rights and constitutional guarantees' that threatens the livelihoods of thousands. 'This is not about numbers and accounts—it's about human lives and dignity,' said Ano Jawhar Abdoka, the alliance's Secretary-General. 'When people's livelihoods are used as political leverage, we enter a dangerous ethical decline that no responsible state should tolerate.' The complaint cites multiple articles of the Iraqi constitution, including Article 30 (guaranteeing a decent standard of living), Article 31 (ensuring health care), and Article 14 (equality and non-discrimination). It also argues that the decision violates Iraq's 2023 federal budget law and international human rights treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The alliance urged the High Commission to open an investigation into the decision's humanitarian consequences and issue recommendations to halt the suspension. It called for the submission of a report to the United Nations and other international bodies, and for immediate legal measures to ensure the protection of employees' salaries. The Christian community in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region numbers around 250,000 people, down from 1.5 million before 2003, according to estimates by church leaders and international organizations. They are spread across Nineveh, Erbil, Duhok, and other areas, and many have faced repeated displacement due to conflict and instability. The salary freeze comes amid a broader financial dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, fueled by disagreements over oil revenue sharing and constitutional interpretations. Tensions have escalated further after the KRG signed two massive energy deals with American companies worth over $110B, prompting Baghdad to accuse Erbil of 'exceeding its constitutional powers.'


Shafaq News
11 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's salary crisis escalates ahead of Eid
Shafaq News/As Eid al-Adha approaches, more than a million public servants in Iraq's Kurdistan Region face yet another holiday without salaries—caught in the crosshairs of a deepening standoff between Baghdad and Erbil that underscores unresolved constitutional, political, and economic rifts. The Iraqi government recently suspended salary payments for May 2025, accusing the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of failing to deliver oil and non-oil revenues as mandated by the federal budget law and a Federal Supreme Court ruling. The Ministry of Finance warned of legal action to hold the KRG accountable, laying blame squarely on Erbil for disrupting monthly payments and social welfare programs. The row has intensified following the KRG's announcement of two major energy deals with American firms worth over $110 billion to develop gas and oil infrastructure in the Region. Baghdad views these agreements as violations of its sovereign authority, while Erbil insists the contracts fall within its constitutional right to enhance local revenues and diversify the Region's economic base. Responding to the federal decision, the KRG's Ministry of Finance and Economy said Baghdad owes Erbil over 4.22 trillion dinars (about $3B) and has yet to release the remaining 9.11 trillion dinars (around $6.5B) of Kurdistan's 2025 allocation. Kurdish officials argue that Baghdad's revenue calculations ignore the KRG's operational expenses and the local funds used to cover salary gaps. They also point to the federal government's failure to compensate victims of the Anfal genocide, which they say adds to long-standing grievances. 'The federal government is trying to create unconstitutional roadblocks,' the KRG stated, citing a February 2025 ruling by the Federal Supreme Court directing Baghdad to disburse salaries directly to Kurdish employees regardless of political disagreements. Erbil has framed the latest salary freeze as a political tactic that targets ordinary citizens and threatens regional stability. Since 2014, salary payments to the Kurdistan Region have shifted from fixed budget allocations to ad hoc 'emergency advances' subject to Baghdad's oversight. Each budget cycle has become a flashpoint for constitutional disputes, driven by the absence of a federal oil and gas law since 2007 and competing interpretations of revenue-sharing rules. For many Kurdish families, the result is a familiar cycle of uncertainty and hardship. Despite multiple court rulings, federal disbursements remain entangled in political maneuvering. Jamal Kocher, a Kurdish member of Iraq's financial committee, criticized Baghdad's decision as 'poorly timed and unjust,' warning that it effectively punishes over 1.2 million employees who are uninvolved in high-level political disputes. Kocher stressed that 'a series of steps must be taken to resolve this issue,' urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to 'respond to Iraqi citizens in a manner that promotes fairness. It is unacceptable for employees in Iraq to receive their salaries while those in the Kurdistan Region face cuts.' He also emphasized the need to engage the Federal Supreme Court to take further decisions on the matter. Political analyst Hamza Mustafa described the crisis as a symptom of deeper institutional dysfunction. 'The salary crisis is just the tip of the iceberg,' he said. 'The deeper issue is Iraq's failure to pass an oil and gas law for nearly two decades. As always, it's the citizens who pay the price.' The United States has called for calm, urging both Baghdad and Erbil to resolve the standoff through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms. A US State Department official told Shafaq News in an exclusive statement, 'A swift resolution will show that Iraq is prioritizing its citizens' welfare and create an environment attractive to investors.' He added that resolving the crisis could also signal readiness to reopen the suspended Iraq-Turkiye oil pipeline. This appeal follows recent high-level meetings in Washington, where KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials. The salary freeze comes at a delicate moment in Iraqi-Kurdish relations. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces competing pressures: demands from political blocs in Baghdad to assert federal control, and calls from international partners to ensure stability and fair treatment for the Kurds. Analysts believe al-Sudani is keen to avoid further escalation ahead of the holidays, with back-channel negotiations possibly underway to explore temporary fixes. However, without structural reforms—such as the long-stalled oil and gas legislation—many fear the cycle of crisis, court rulings, and emergency payments will continue to define Baghdad-Erbil relations. With public frustration mounting and Eid just days away, all eyes are now on whether Baghdad and Erbil can move beyond legal sparring to reach a sustainable fiscal settlement—or whether yet another round of crisis budgeting awaits the Kurdistan Region.


Shafaq News
13 hours ago
- Shafaq News
SHEIN's expansion in Iraq challenges secondhand sector
Shafaq News/ The emergence of SHEIN, a global fast-fashion retailer based in China, is significantly altering Iraq's consumer behavior and retail landscape. In Baghdad's bustling street markets—particularly in areas like Bab al-Muazzam and al-Bayaa—SHEIN's low-cost, ready-to-wear clothing is quickly becoming a preferred alternative to traditional retail and secondhand goods. New Goods, Competitive Prices SHEIN products are entering the Iraqi market through bulk shipments locally referred to as 'al-shalif'—large bags containing hundreds of assorted items, from clothing and bags to small household goods. SHEIN's offerings also include non-apparel items such as bags, home accessories, and low-cost electronics, broadening its appeal to a wider consumer base. Hassan Imad, a 35-year-old vendor in the Bayaa market, explained to Shafaq News how this trade model works: 'Each bag costs between 100,000 and 200,000 Iraqi dinars ($75-150) and usually contains around 500 pieces. We sell individual items for about 3,000 dinars ($2.5) or three for 5,000 ($4), and profits can reach up to 1.5 million dinars.' However, the business carries certain risks. Imad noted that the contents of each shipment can vary considerably in quality and seasonality, describing it as 'a game of chance.' While 'Bala'—used clothing imported from Europe—has long dominated Iraq's informal apparel markets, vendors are increasingly favoring SHEIN products due to their new condition, trend-focused designs, and high turnover rate. Redha Abdul-Hassan al-Kaabi, another vendor, emphasized the advantages of the new merchandise: 'Chinese clothes are more profitable and sell faster than Bala. The designs are modern, and all the items are brand new and reasonably priced.' Vendors have adjusted their operations to match demand patterns, often relocating their stalls based on peak activity areas. On weekdays, many set up near university campuses to target students; on weekends, they move to high-traffic areas like al-Wathba and Bab al-Sharqi. Bassim Jalal, a 20-year-old seller in Bab al-Muazzam, told Shafaq News,'I purchase a box for 250,000 dinars. Each item comes labeled with its original retail price. We convert it to dinars with a modest profit margin.' Students, in particular, are seen as a core demographic for SHEIN's products due to their budget-conscious buying habits and need for regularly updated wardrobes. The Iraqi shoppers say that one of the factors contributing to SHEIN's growing popularity is the perception that its new clothing is more hygienic than secondhand alternatives. 'These clothes are new and safe. They're not like secondhand items, which could pose skin health risks. Also, the prices of Bala have increased recently because of misleading marketing by influencers claiming the items are designer brands,' Marwa Fadel, a 35-year-old shopper, expressed to Shafaq News. While consumers increasingly benefit from affordable, ready-made imports, the growing dominance of foreign goods—particularly in unregulated informal markets—raises critical concerns about the future of Made in Iraq products in a country where the industrial sector remains mired in long-termstagnation.