The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) reported a 212 per cent rise in net profit before tax to AED930.8m ($253.5m) for the nine months ending 30 September 2025, reflecting record trading volumes, rising foreign investor participation, and strong IPO momentum across Dubai’s capital markets.
Total consolidated revenue reached AED1.1bn ($299.4m), up 138 per cent year-on-year, supported by sustained growth in trading activity and continued expansion of Dubai’s financial ecosystem.
During the period, the DFM General Index (DFMGI) rose 13.2 per cent to close at 5,839.64 points, while total market capitalisation reached AED995bn ($270.9bn) — a 9.7 per cent increase from year-end 2024.
Dubai Financial Market
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said the results reflect the “strength and vitality” of Dubai’s markets and the growing confidence of global investors.
Al Marri said: “DFM’s performance in the first nine months of 2025 reflects the strength and vitality of Dubai’s capital markets and the growing confidence of global investors.
“The sustained growth in trading activity and market capitalization highlights the continued success of DFM’s strategy to deepen liquidity, attract global participation, and enhance market accessibility.”
He added that DFM remains aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to cement Dubai’s status as a global financial centre.
Record trading volumes and investor inflows
DFM maintained strong market activity throughout 2025, with average daily traded value reaching AED709m ($192.8m) — up 83 per cent from the same period last year.
Total traded value rose 82 per cent to AED133bn ($36.2bn), and the average number of daily trades climbed 48 per cent to 13,600.
The exchange also saw a surge in new investor registrations, welcoming 82,742 new investors by the end of September, 84 per cent of whom were foreign.
Foreign investors accounted for 51 per cent of total trading value, while institutional investors represented 70 per cent, underlining DFM’s growing role as a hub for international capital.
Foreign ownership stood at 20 per cent of total market capitalisation, reflecting sustained overseas confidence in Dubai’s markets.
Major transactions and IPO momentum
The period saw major listings and offerings strengthen market depth and liquidity.
Du’s secondary share sale became the UAE’s first fully marketed secondary public offering, drawing strong retail and institutional investor demand.
Meanwhile, ALEC Holding’s initial public offering (IPO) in September 2025 expanded sector representation on DFM, highlighting growing diversification in Dubai’s capital markets.
The continued influx of listings across industries supports Dubai’s vision to attract high-growth and underrepresented sectors, enhancing market resilience and investor choice.
Sector diversification driving growth
At the end of Q3 2025, DFM’s total market capitalisation of AED995bn ($270.9bn) reflected a balanced and diversified structure:
- Financials: 42 per cent of total market value
- Real estate: 19 per cent of total market value
- Utilities: 16 per cent of total market value
- Industrials: 12 per cent of total market value
- Communication services: 4 per cent of total market value
- Consumer staples and others: Remaining proportion
This distribution reinforces Dubai’s economic diversification strategy and DFM’s role in expanding listings beyond traditional sectors.
Digital transformation
Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said the strong financial and operational performance demonstrates steady progress on strategic priorities.
“DFM’s robust performance for the first nine months of 2025 reflect steady progress in executing our strategic priorities, deepening market liquidity, broadening participation, and enhancing access for both local and international investors,” Ali said.
“The strong investor appetite and sustained IPO activity highlight growing confidence in Dubai’s capital markets and the strength of our platform as a preferred destination for issuers.”
He added that DFM will continue to advance digital transformation, expand its product offering, and drive innovation to support long-term market growth.
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