Abu Dhabi’s stock market is attracting a growing international investor base, with new data from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) showing increased participation from investors outside the UAE during H1 2026.
One of the standout figures was the composition of new investors entering the market. International investors accounted for 77% of all new investors who joined ADX during the first six months of 2026, as the exchange added more than 30,000 new investors during the period.
The growing international presence was also visible in trading activity. International investors accounted for 48% of total trading value on ADX during H1 2026, meaning nearly half of the value traded on the exchange came from investors outside the UAE.
Institutional participation remained significant as well. Institutional investors represented 78% of total trading value, while net institutional investment reached AED 1.4 billion, increasing 13.7% year-on-year.
ADX Is Building More Links With Global Markets
Alongside increasing international investor participation, ADX continued expanding its connections with major global financial institutions.
During H1 2026, HSBC became ADX’s first foreign General Clearing Member, while Morgan Stanley became the exchange’s first international remote trading participant.
ADX also welcomed four new listings, including two dual-listed ETFs from the New York Stock Exchange, giving investors additional exposure to internationally connected investment products through the Abu Dhabi market.
A Growing Market Behind the International Interest
The increase in global participation comes as the overall size and activity of Abu Dhabi’s stock market continue to expand.
ADX ended June 2026 with a market capitalization of approximately AED 2.8 trillion. Total trading value during H1 reached AED 171 billion, with around 50.3 billion shares changing hands through nearly 3.3 million trades.
The number of trades increased 12% year-on-year, reflecting higher overall activity across the exchange.
ADX-listed companies also distributed a combined AED 49.9 billion in dividends during the period.
With international investors representing 77% of new investors and 48% of trading value, the H1 2026 figures point to a market with an increasingly global investor base. Combined with the arrival of international financial institutions and new cross-market products, Abu Dhabi’s stock market is becoming more connected to global capital markets.
Source: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), H1 2026 Market Update.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
