A fragile diplomatic breakthrough between Donald Trump and Iran sent a jolt of optimism across Gulf trading floors on Wednesday, triggering a sharp surge in United Arab Emirates equities š.
Markets reacted swiftly after the two-week ceasefire proposal, contingent on Tehran halting disruptions to energy shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which typically carries roughly a fifth of global oil flows, had been under pressure during the recent tensions. Iranās foreign minister Abbas Araqchi signaled that counter-attacks would stop and maritime passage would remain openāprovided hostilities against Iran were paused.
Adding a diplomatic layer, Pakistanās prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had invited U.S. and Iranian delegations for talks in Islamabad later this week, fueling hopes of a broader de-escalation.
The reaction in Dubai was immediate. The main index surged 6.7% in early trade ā its strongest intraday jump in more than six years š. Gains were driven largely by heavyweight banking and property names. Developer Emaar Properties soared 11.5%, while leading lender Emirates NBD Bank climbed 10%.
Abu Dhabi followed suit, with its benchmark advancing 4.5%. The rally was spearheaded by First Abu Dhabi Bank, which jumped 15%, and property giant Aldar Properties, up 10.8%.
The rebound underscores how quickly geopolitical risk premiums can unwind when the prospect of calmer waters emerges ā even if the truce remains tentative. Traders appeared eager to price in stability, betting that reduced tension around energy flows could steady the regionās economic outlook ā”.
