Dubai Financial Market posted a net profit before tax of AED443.2 million for the first half of 2026, as trading activity surged even though overall profitability declined compared to the same period last year.
The exchange saw average daily traded value climb 45.1 percent to AED1.004 billion, while total traded value jumped 40.4 percent to AED119.5 billion. Average daily trades rose 35.4 percent to around 18,759, reflecting broader participation across the market.
The stronger activity came despite market capitalization slipping 1.4 percent year-on-year to AED981.6 billion. The DFM General Index closed the half at 5,955.58 points.
Total consolidated revenue for the period reached AED557 million, down from AED888.9 million in H1 2025. The decline was largely attributed to a one-off AED462.2 million gain from a property sale recorded in the prior year. Net profit before tax also fell from AED777.1 million a year earlier.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said the rise in trading reflects sustained investor engagement and the growing depth of Dubai's capital markets, pointing to the exchange's economic fundamentals and expanding financial ecosystem.
Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said the results highlight continued liquidity and a diverse investor base, with institutional and international participants reaffirming confidence in the market.
DFM welcomed 42,864 new investors during the period, with international investors making up 71.4 percent of new registrations. Institutional investors accounted for 71.2 percent of total traded value, while foreign investors contributed 51 percent of trading activity. Foreign ownership of market capitalization held steady at 20.06 percent.
Looking ahead, DFM said it will continue focusing on expanding liquidity, widening market access, and strengthening infrastructure to support Dubai's capital market growth.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
