UAE Financial Markets See Significant Growth in 2025
Average Daily Trading Increases by 24%, Market Capitalization Rises
Riyadh, UAE: The average daily trading across the United Arab Emirates' financial markets has surged by 24.16 percent in 2025 to reach a total of 2.21 billion dirhams ($601.7 million), according to recent reports by the UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA).
This growth highlights a period of expansion and development within the country's financial sector, marked by increased market activity and heightened investor interest.
The CMA's findings also indicate an upward trend in market capitalization.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange saw its market value increase by 4.7 percent to reach 3.14 trillion dirhams, while the Dubai Financial Market experienced a more substantial growth of 7.6 percent, reaching 980 billion dirhams.
These increases reflect not only improved performance but also the evolving economic landscape within the UAE.
Globally, the picture painted by Gulf capital markets in 2025 presents a mixed review.
The Tadawul exchange in Saudi Arabia continues to dominate the region with its market capitalization reaching $2.35 trillion at year-end.
Meanwhile, assets under management (AUM) in the private funds sector of Saudi Arabia saw an annual increase of 27 percent.
Qatar's financial center reported robust institutional growth, with a notable 828 new firms registering in the first half of 2025 alone, bringing the total to 3,300 by June.
Additionally, corporate and investment banks in Qatar posted a significant AUM increase of 19 percent year-on-year.
Commenting on these developments, CMA Chairman Mohamed Ali Al-Shorafa emphasized the UAE's transition towards a 'qualitatively transformed' financial sector where national vision aligns with global market dynamics.
The authority is actively developing an advanced regulatory environment aimed at balancing economic growth, ensuring financial stability, and fostering institutional confidence.
Foreign investment inflows played a crucial role in these developments, totaling 18.7 billion dirhams.
Of this amount, 14.1 billion dirhams were invested in Abu Dhabi, and 4.6 billion dirhams in Dubai, with net institutional investment standing at 1.17 billion dirhams.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of the CMA, hailed 2025 as a significant milestone for the authority's progress across legislative development, supervisory efficiency, and support for innovation.
These factors are deemed essential drivers of sustainable market growth in the UAE.
In terms of equity listings, the total value reached 14.53 billion dirhams, accompanied by 6.12 billion dirhams in capital increases.
The listed bonds and sukuk were valued at 27.6 billion dirhams, with private placement issuances totaling 638 billion dirhams.
Furthermore, green bonds and sukuk contributed 8.6 billion dirhams to the total.
The year also saw four companies listed, five public joint-stock companies registered, three mergers and acquisitions approved by the CMA, leading to a final count of 199 listed companies by year-end.
This dynamic environment reflects the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation and economic development within its financial markets.
This growth highlights a period of expansion and development within the country's financial sector, marked by increased market activity and heightened investor interest.
The CMA's findings also indicate an upward trend in market capitalization.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange saw its market value increase by 4.7 percent to reach 3.14 trillion dirhams, while the Dubai Financial Market experienced a more substantial growth of 7.6 percent, reaching 980 billion dirhams.
These increases reflect not only improved performance but also the evolving economic landscape within the UAE.
Globally, the picture painted by Gulf capital markets in 2025 presents a mixed review.
The Tadawul exchange in Saudi Arabia continues to dominate the region with its market capitalization reaching $2.35 trillion at year-end.
Meanwhile, assets under management (AUM) in the private funds sector of Saudi Arabia saw an annual increase of 27 percent.
Qatar's financial center reported robust institutional growth, with a notable 828 new firms registering in the first half of 2025 alone, bringing the total to 3,300 by June.
Additionally, corporate and investment banks in Qatar posted a significant AUM increase of 19 percent year-on-year.
Commenting on these developments, CMA Chairman Mohamed Ali Al-Shorafa emphasized the UAE's transition towards a 'qualitatively transformed' financial sector where national vision aligns with global market dynamics.
The authority is actively developing an advanced regulatory environment aimed at balancing economic growth, ensuring financial stability, and fostering institutional confidence.
Foreign investment inflows played a crucial role in these developments, totaling 18.7 billion dirhams.
Of this amount, 14.1 billion dirhams were invested in Abu Dhabi, and 4.6 billion dirhams in Dubai, with net institutional investment standing at 1.17 billion dirhams.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of the CMA, hailed 2025 as a significant milestone for the authority's progress across legislative development, supervisory efficiency, and support for innovation.
These factors are deemed essential drivers of sustainable market growth in the UAE.
In terms of equity listings, the total value reached 14.53 billion dirhams, accompanied by 6.12 billion dirhams in capital increases.
The listed bonds and sukuk were valued at 27.6 billion dirhams, with private placement issuances totaling 638 billion dirhams.
Furthermore, green bonds and sukuk contributed 8.6 billion dirhams to the total.
The year also saw four companies listed, five public joint-stock companies registered, three mergers and acquisitions approved by the CMA, leading to a final count of 199 listed companies by year-end.
This dynamic environment reflects the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation and economic development within its financial markets.
