Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, marking a solid start to the year, driven by strong trading activity, improved liquidity, and rising investor participation.
The exchange reported consolidated revenues of approximately AED 253.1 million for the quarter, up from AED 186.5 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
This revenue included AED 171.9 million in operating income, alongside AED 81.2 million generated from investment returns and other sources.
Net profit before tax reached AED 193.3 million, compared to AED 134.9 million in the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, total expenses, excluding tax, stood at AED 59.8 million, up from AED 51.6 million in Q1 2025.
Average daily traded value exceeded AED 1 billion during the quarter, reaching AED 1.03 billion, compared to AED 663 million a year earlier, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 56 percent.
Overall trading value rose by 48 percent to AED 61 billion, compared with AED 41 billion in the same period last year, highlighting sustained market activity and liquidity.
The market attracted 20,702 new investors during the quarter, up from 19,366 in the same period last year, with 79 percent of them coming from outside the UAE.
Foreign investors contributed 54 percent of total trading value, while institutional investors accounted for 70 percent, reinforcing the market’s appeal to a broad and high-quality investor base. Market capitalisation stood at AED 897 billion at the end of March 2026.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, stated that the market delivered a strong performance in the first quarter, with trading volumes and investor participation reflecting continued confidence in Dubai’s capital markets. He highlighted that crossing the AED 1 billion average daily trading threshold represents a key milestone, pointing to increasing market depth, liquidity, and global relevance.
He further noted that the results reflect Dubai’s strong economic fundamentals and its well-established position as a global financial hub, supported by the ongoing enhancement of efficient and transparent market infrastructure. Continued engagement from institutional and international investors also signals strong confidence in both the platform and the long-term outlook for Dubai’s capital markets.
DFM saw robust trading activity in January and February, with its general index reaching 6,774 points on 9 February 2026. However, the market closed the quarter 10.1 percent lower, influenced by softer conditions in the latter part of March.
