Dubai Financial Market revenues reached 253 million dirhams in the first quarter, and daily trading exceeds one billion dirhams

Today, Thursday, the Dubai Financial Market announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, recording a strong start to the year, supported by strong trading activity, high levels of liquidity and investor participation.
The consolidated revenues of the Dubai Financial Market during the first quarter amounted to about 253.1 million dirhams, compared to 186.5 million dirhams during the same period in 2025.
Revenues included 171.9 million dirhams of operating income and 81.2 million dirhams of investment returns and other income.
Net profit before tax amounted to 193.3 million dirhams, compared to 134.9 million dirhams in the same period last year, while total expenses “excluding tax” reached 59.8 million dirhams, compared to 51.6 million dirhams in the first quarter of 2025.
During the quarter, the average daily trading value exceeded one billion dirhams, reaching 1.03 billion dirhams, compared to 663 million dirhams during the same period last year, recording an annual increase of 56%.
The total value of trading also increased by 48% to reach 61 billion dirhams, compared to 41 billion dirhams last year, which reflects the continued depth and breadth of activity in the market.
The Dubai Financial Market also attracted 20,702 new investors during the quarter compared to 19,366 during the same period last year, 79% of whom were from outside the country.
The contribution of foreign investors reached 54% of the total trading value, while institutional investors represented 70%, which confirms the continued attractiveness of the market to a diverse and distinguished base of investors, and the market value reached 897 billion dirhams by the end of March 2026.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Financial Market, Hilal Saeed Al Marri, said that the Dubai Financial Market achieved a strong performance during the first quarter, as trading levels and the volume of investor participation reflect a firm and continuous confidence in the capital markets in Dubai. The average daily trading value exceeding the one billion dirham mark is an important achievement, and confirms the growing depth of the market and the high levels of liquidity in it, and at the same time reflects the expansion of its presence and increasing importance on the international level.
He added that this performance focuses on Dubai’s strong economic foundations and established position as a global financial center, in addition to the continued development of an efficient and transparent market infrastructure. The continued participation by institutional and international investors also reflects the high level of confidence in the market platform and in the long-term vision for the capital markets in Dubai.
The Dubai Financial Market recorded strong trading momentum during the months of January and February, with the general market index reaching 6,774 points on February 9, 2026, before closing the quarter with a decline of 10.1%, affected by market conditions during the latter part of March.
However, trading activity remained strong throughout the period, supported by continued participation across various investor categories, coupled with good liquidity levels.
Hamed Ali, CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai, said that the first quarter of 2026 showed flexibility and depth in market activity, as liquidity levels increased significantly compared to last year, with the average daily trading value reaching 1.03 billion dirhams, and the total value of trading reaching 61 billion dirhams, supported by the strong participation of institutional and individual investors, local and international.
He added that the Dubai Financial Market continued to perform efficiently and stably, supported by a diverse investor base and continuous international participation. Our priority remains to enhance ease of access to the market, develop the infrastructure, and expand the range of opportunities available to exporters and investors. The first quarter’s performance confirms the solid foundations on which Dubai’s capital markets are based, and the market’s ability to continue supporting growth and development in the long term.
The Dubai Financial Market affirmed its continued focus on enhancing access to the market, expanding the investor base, and developing the infrastructure that supports Dubai’s position as a leading global financial center. It also stressed that the foundations supporting the growth of liquidity, trading activity and international participation remain strong, which places the market in a position that enables it to build on the momentum achieved during the first quarter.