Dubai Financial Market sees 22% rise in trading value to AED162 billion in first nine months of 2026
The total value of shares traded on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) reached AED162 billion during the first nine months of 2026, a 22% increase compared with AED133 billion in the same period a year earlier. The exchange said the growth was driven by a 25% year-on-year rise in average daily traded value to AED883 million, while the average number of daily trades climbed 26% to roughly 17,200, up from 13,600 in 9M 2025.
Financial performance
DFM reported a net profit before tax of AED586.4 million for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2026, down from AED930.8 million in 9M 2025. Total consolidated revenue stood at AED753.2 million, compared with AED1.1 billion a year earlier. The previous year’s figure included AED461.9 million in one-off income from the sale of an investment property.
Revenue for the nine months comprised AED511.2 million in operating income and AED242 million in investment returns and other income. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached AED642 million, representing an 85.2% margin. Expenses excluding tax were AED166.8 million, up from AED162.6 million in 9M 2025, reflecting what the company described as continued investment in market infrastructure and technology while maintaining spending discipline.
In the third quarter alone, total consolidated revenue was AED196.2 million, compared with AED204.5 million in Q3 2025. Net profit before tax for the quarter came in at AED143.2 million, down from AED153.7 million a year earlier.
Market activity and investor base
DFM recorded a total of 3.16 million trades in the first nine months of 2026, a 24% increase year-on-year. The market operated for 184 trading days, compared with 188 days in the same period of 2025. Market capitalisation stood at AED993 billion at the end of September, marginally lower than the AED995 billion recorded a year earlier. The DFM General Index closed the period at 5,960.54 points, a decline of 1.4% since the start of the year.
The exchange attracted 55,460 new investors during the nine months, with international investors accounting for 72% of new registrations. The total investor base now exceeds 1.3 million. Institutional investors represented 73% of total traded value, up from 70% in 9M 2025, while foreign investors contributed 51% of trading activity. Foreign ownership accounted for 19% of market capitalisation, and institutional ownership stood at 86.5%.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said the 22% growth in traded value reflected sustained investor engagement and the growing depth of Dubai’s capital markets. He added: “That participation is underpinned by Dubai’s economic fundamentals, its expanding financial ecosystem and continued international investor interest. DFM will continue to advance transparent, liquid and globally connected capital markets, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading international financial center in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
Digital expansion and new listings
During the period, DFM facilitated retail subscriptions to the UAE Ministry of Finance’s inaugural Retail Sukuk through the DFM Subscription platform, the DFM app and the iVestor app, giving investors direct digital access to a government-backed, Shari’a-compliant fixed income instrument. The Sukuk was listed on Nasdaq Dubai on 2 July 2026, with more than 18,000 investors subscribing through DFM channels.
In September, DFM expanded digital access through two new platform integrations. Eligible investors on the baraka investment app can now buy shares in DFM-listed companies directly in AED, broadening access for digital-first investors. Separately, EFG Hermes launched fully digital onboarding through its EFG Hermes ONE app, in collaboration with DFM and Dubai CSD, enabling investors to obtain a DFM investor number and open a trading account entirely through a mobile application.
Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said the results reflected continued progress against strategic priorities, with deeper liquidity, broader participation and wider access for investors in the UAE and internationally. “With our investor base now exceeding 1.3 million, the participation of institutional and international investors reflects confidence in our market and its infrastructure. As we expand access to our market and support new listings, we remain focused on advancing the long-term development of Dubai’s capital markets,” he said.
Looking ahead, DFM said it remains focused on increasing liquidity, widening market access and strengthening its infrastructure and product range to support the continued development of Dubai’s capital markets.
