Dubai Financial Market (DFM) reported total traded value of AED 162 billion for the first nine months of 2026, representing a 22% year-on-year increase from AED 133 billion. Average daily traded value rose 25% to AED 883 million, supported by higher investor participation and trading activity. The exchange recorded net profit before tax of AED 586.4 million during the period.
Total consolidated revenue reached AED 753.2 million, compared with approximately AED 1.1 billion in 9M 2025. The previous year’s revenue included a one-off gain of AED 461.9 million from the sale of an investment property. Excluding the impact of this exceptional income, DFM’s operating income increased 24.8% to AED 511.2 million, reflecting stronger underlying business activity.
Investment returns and other income contributed AED 242 million, while EBITDA reached AED 642 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 85.2%. Net profit before tax declined from AED 930.8 million in the corresponding period of 2025, primarily reflecting the absence of the previous year’s property disposal gain. Expenses excluding tax increased to AED 166.8 million from AED 162.6 million, reflecting continued investment in technology and market infrastructure.
For Q3 2026, DFM reported consolidated revenue of AED 196.2 million, compared with AED 204.5 million in Q3 2025. Quarterly profit before tax stood at AED 143.2 million, down from AED 153.7 million a year earlier. Despite the decline in reported quarterly earnings, trading activity remained strong across the broader nine-month period.
The exchange recorded 3.16 million trades during 9M 2026, an increase of 24% year-on-year. Average daily trades rose 26% to approximately 17,200, compared with 13,600 a year earlier. DFM’s total market capitalisation stood at AED 993 billion at the end of September 2026, while the DFM General Index closed at 5,960.54 points, representing a 1.4% decline since the beginning of the year.
DFM attracted 55,460 new investors during the nine-month period, with international investors accounting for 72% of new registrations. The exchange’s total investor base exceeded 1.3 million. Institutional investors contributed 73% of total traded value, up from 70% in 9M 2025, while foreign investors accounted for 51% of trading activity.
During the period, DFM expanded investor access through several digital initiatives, including retail subscriptions to the UAE Ministry of Finance’s inaugural Retail Sukuk, which attracted more than 18,000 subscribers through DFM channels. The exchange also introduced integrations with the baraka investment app and EFG Hermes ONE, enabling investors to access DFM-listed securities and complete digital onboarding more easily.
DFM Chairman Helal Saeed Al Marri highlighted the continued growth in trading activity and international investor participation, while CEO Hamed Ali emphasised the exchange’s focus on deeper liquidity, broader market access and new listings. Looking ahead, DFM plans to strengthen its market infrastructure, expand investment products and support the continued development of Dubai’s capital markets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or legal advice.
