
The Iraq Stock Exchange is the primary stock exchange of Iraq, and it's located in Baghdad. It was established in 2004.
The exchange is regulated by the Iraq Securities Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the stock market and ensuring its stability.
The Iraq Stock Exchange has a relatively small market capitalization, but it has been growing steadily over the years.
Growth
The ISX has a unique trading history, with growth being a significant aspect. Originally, trading was done with pen and paper, with buyers shouting at their brokers who stood near whiteboards listing share prices.
Trading was suspended for several months in 2006 due to violence, and power outages also affected the exchange. However, the ISX was unaffected by the 2008 financial crisis, showing its resilience.
In 2006, the exchange held 92 trading sessions, averaging 2 per week, with 57 billion shares traded at a value of 146 billion dinars. This is a remarkable feat, considering the challenges faced by the exchange.
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The ISX has undergone significant changes, including switching to electronic trading in 2009. Currently, only five companies are available for electronic trading, but more will be added in the coming months.
The ISX has also seen significant growth in recent years, with companies listed on the market increasing by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2018. This growth was driven by the influx of investors encouraged by the defeat of the Islamic state.
Stock Exchange Operations
To trade on the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX), investors must open a brokerage account through a licensed brokerage house. This allows them to buy and sell securities such as stocks and bonds.
Investors can raise capital for companies by purchasing shares, which makes them shareholders in that company.
How Stock Exchange Functions
To trade on a stock exchange, you need to open a brokerage account through a licensed brokerage house. This is a requirement for both individual and institutional investors.
The stock exchange is a platform where investors can buy and sell securities such as stocks and bonds. Companies can raise capital by offering shares, which makes you a shareholder in that company when you purchase even one share.
Investors benefit from the financial achievements of listed companies through capital gains and dividends.
Opening Time
The Iraq Stock Exchange has a specific pre-opening period that starts from 9:30 to 10:00 am.
This means that if you're planning to trade or monitor the exchange, you'll need to be ready to go by 9:30 am at the latest.
The exact opening time isn't specified, but it's likely to be shortly after the pre-opening period ends.
It's worth noting that the exact opening time may vary depending on the day or other factors, but the pre-opening period is a reliable indicator of when trading will begin.
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ISX and Partnerships
The Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) has been making strides in digital transformation, a move that supports the government's vision to enhance transparency and efficiency in the financial market.
Karmal Brokerage has partnered with ZagTrader to launch a comprehensive digital transformation project, which is the first of its kind in Iraq's financial market.
This initiative is a significant step towards modernizing the ISX and bringing it in line with international standards.
The project involves operations on the "Tabadul" electronic trading platform, which will provide a more secure and efficient way of trading securities.
Rabee Securities also partners with the ISX to provide market reports, such as the RSISX Index Change, which tracks the performance of listed companies.
The RSISX Index Change shows a 4.4% increase in the RSISX IQD Index, with a 4.7% change year-to-date, as of the trading week ending August 7th, 2025.
ISX Overview
The Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) is a self-regulated stock exchange in Iraq. It's a hub for trading and investment in the country.
The ISX site provides market data, which is essential for investors to make informed decisions. This data can be accessed online.
You can also find indices of different business sectors on the ISX site, giving you a glimpse into various industries in Iraq. This information can be useful for investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
Company data and guides are also available on the ISX site, making it easier for businesses to navigate the exchange.
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