Dubai Financial Market posted a strong start to 2026, with consolidated revenues climbing to AED 253.1 million in the first quarter — up from AED 186.5 million in the same period last year — driven by surging trading activity and growing international investor participation.
Net profit before tax rose to AED 193.3 million, compared with AED 134.9 million in Q1 2025, as the exchange continued to benefit from deeper liquidity and broader market engagement.
A standout milestone of the quarter was the average daily traded value crossing the AED 1 billion mark for the first time, reaching AED 1.03 billion — a 56 percent year-on-year increase from AED 663 million. Total trading value rose 48 percent to AED 61 billion, up from AED 41 billion in the prior year period.
Investor growth remained healthy, with 20,702 new investors joining the market during the quarter. Of these, 79 percent came from outside the UAE, underscoring DFM's growing appeal to international capital. Foreign investors accounted for 54 percent of total trading value, while institutional investors represented 70 percent. Market capitalisation stood at AED 897 billion at the end of March 2026.
DFM Chairman Helal Saeed Al Marri said the AED 1 billion daily trading threshold marks a significant milestone, reflecting the market's expanding global relevance and sustained investor confidence in Dubai's capital markets.
CEO Hamed Ali noted that despite a 10.1 percent index decline in the latter part of March — following a peak of 6,774 points on 9 February — trading activity remained robust throughout the quarter.
DFM said it remains focused on enhancing market access, developing infrastructure and expanding opportunities for both issuers and investors as it builds on first-quarter momentum.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
