The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) continued to strengthen its market ecosystem during the first half of 2026, supported by higher trading activity, growing investor participation, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded international market access. Total trading value reached AED 171 billion during the period.
Trading activity remained strong, with total trading volume increasing 3.7% year-on-year to 50.3 billion shares. Average daily traded volume rose 9% to 423 million shares, while nearly 3.3 million individual trades were executed, representing a 12% increase compared with the same period last year. Market makers also increased their contribution to 15% of total traded value.
Institutional participation remained a major contributor to market activity, accounting for 78% of total trading value. International investors represented 48% of trading value, while net positive inflows reached AED 1.4 billion, increasing 13.7% year-on-year.
Investor participation also continued to expand, with ADX onboarding more than 30,000 new investors during the first half of 2026, an increase of 7.1% year-on-year. Foreign investors accounted for 77% of these new registrations, while total dividends distributed to investors increased to AED 49.9 billion.
ADX also expanded its international connectivity during the period. HSBC became the exchange’s first foreign General Clearing Member, while Morgan Stanley joined as its first international remote trading participant. The exchange welcomed four new listings, including two dual-listed ETFs from the New York Stock Exchange, while continuing to expand its Tabadul network and cross-border market relationships.
The exchange continued investing in its market infrastructure through initiatives including the Core Platform Upgrade, the launch of AD Clear and AD CSD, and the integration of hybrid cloud capabilities. ADX also introduced initiatives aimed at expanding financial inclusion and investor access, including a Digital Loans against Investments solution with Wio Bank.
ADX said its focus remains on building a deeper, more liquid, resilient, and internationally connected market while supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic growth and strengthening its position as a gateway for global capital.
Source: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or legal advice.
