Saudi US Treasury Holdings Hit $142.5 Billion as Stocks Slide in 2026

Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasury bills and bonds reached $142.5 billion in June 2026, even as major American stock indices retreated under pressure from rising bond yields and oil prices. Understanding these official figures and the market risks they signal is essential before making any investment decision.

How much does Saudi Arabia hold in US Treasuries?

Saudi holdings of US Treasury bills and bonds stood at $142.5 billion in June 2026. This represents a 1.6% month-on-month increase, marking the second consecutive month of growth, according to US Department of the Treasury data reported by Al-Eqtisadiah.

Year-on-year, holdings rose 9% compared with $130.5 billion in June 2025, meaning Saudi purchases added roughly $12 billion over twelve months. The newspaper noted this expansion coincided with persistently high yields on US debt instruments, which made them more attractive. These figures cover Treasury bills and bonds only; they exclude other investments in securities, assets, or dollar-denominated cash held within the United States.

Why did US stocks fall in September 2026?

US equity markets faced heavy selling pressure that dragged down the main indices. According to Al-Weam, anxiety returned to trading floors as pressures mounted from both the oil and bond markets. Investors recalculated their expectations for interest rates after strong US economic activity data was released.

During trading on Thursday, September 24, 2026, the indices recorded the following declines:

• S&P 500: fell 0.5% to 7,663.89 points.
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: lost 0.7%, closing at 51,143.93 points.
• Nasdaq Composite: dropped 0.8% to 26,721.43 points.

The technology sector took a particular hit. Nvidia shares slid about 1.7%, while AMD also declined, reflecting how sensitive the valuations of these companies are to movements in bond yields.

How do bond yields affect stock prices?

Stocks and bonds constantly compete for capital. In the fixed-income market, the yield on the ten-year US Treasury note surpassed 5%, posting its largest single-day jump since April 2025, according to Al-Weam. When yields climb, traders price in a tighter monetary policy path. Debt instruments become direct competitors to equities, weighing heavily on high-valuation technology stocks.

Globally, total foreign holdings of US Treasuries fell 0.8% in June 2026 to $9.3 trillion, driven by sales from Japan and China. Japan remained the largest holder at $1.12 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom at $940 billion. China’s position shrank to $633.4 billion.

What should investors know before entering the US market?

Before committing capital to the US or any other market, the Thameen platform run by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) defines investing as a tool to grow profits and meet financial goals, provided decisions are sound and risks are managed.

The platform warns against common mistakes, including:

1. Buying and selling shares based on rumors or false information.
2. Concentrating funds in a single asset class instead of diversifying.

According to the CMA guide, the primary objective is accumulating assets without losing them. Over time, disciplined investing builds wealth, generates income, and shields money from inflation, whether the goal is short-term, such as buying a car, or long-term, like securing retirement.

How can you verify official Saudi websites?

When researching investments or dealing with government entities, the Thameen platform outlines specific criteria for verifying official links to protect investors:

• Saudi government websites always end with the gov.sa domain.
• Official educational sites use sch.sa or edu.sa.
• Websites must use the HTTPS protocol for encryption and security.

These standards apply to regulators such as the Capital Market Authority, the Ministry of Investment, and the Saudi Central Bank.

Key figures

• Saudi US Treasury holdings: $142.5 billion in June 2026 (Al-Eqtisadiah)
• Monthly increase: 1.6% in June 2026 (Al-Eqtisadiah)
• Global US Treasury holdings: $9.3 trillion in June 2026 (Al-Eqtisadiah)
• S&P 500: 7,663.89 points, down 0.5% on September 24, 2026 (Al-Weam)
• Ten-year Treasury yield: surpassed 5% in September 2026 (Al-Weam)

What to watch next

The ten-year US Treasury yield remains the primary driver of current equity market pressure. Those considering entry into the US market can start with the Young Investors Guide available on the Capital Market Authority’s Thameen platform to avoid acting on rumors or concentrating risk. Monitor upcoming US interest rate decisions and track the monthly updates from the US Department of the Treasury regarding Saudi holdings, which reached $142.5 billion in June 2026, to gauge the broader direction of Saudi liquidity in American markets.