Dubai’s capital markets are running hotter than ever. The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has posted a staggering 212% surge in net profit before tax, reaching AED 930.8 million ($253.5 million) for the first nine months of 2025 — a performance that underscores the city’s financial dynamism and rising global appeal.
Total revenue climbed 138% year-on-year to AED 1.1 billion, propelled by surging trading volumes, strong investment returns, and a record-breaking property sale. The DFM General Index (DFMGI) mirrored that energy, advancing 13.2% to close at 5,839.64 points, while market capitalization touched AED 995 billion, up nearly 10% since the end of last year.
“DFM’s momentum reflects the vitality of Dubai’s markets and the trust of global investors,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, DFM’s Chairman, noting that the exchange’s ongoing transformation aligns closely with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) — a roadmap to position the city among the world’s top three economic hubs.
The exchange’s success was powered by a surge in activity:
Average daily traded value hit AED 709 million, an 83% leap from 2024.
Total traded value soared to AED 133 billion, up 82%.
Daily trades grew by 48%, averaging 13,600 transactions per day.
Meanwhile, DFM’s investor community continues to broaden. The exchange attracted over 82,000 new investors in 2025 alone, 84% of them foreign, bringing the total investor base to more than 1.2 million. Foreign investors now account for 51% of total trading value, while institutional investors dominate at 70%, underscoring the market’s global magnetism.
This year also saw milestone listings:
Du’s secondary share sale, the UAE’s first-ever fully marketed secondary public offering, drew intense interest from both retail and institutional investors.
ALEC Holding’s IPO in September broadened the market’s sectoral reach, signaling a new wave of companies preparing to list.
By September’s close, DFM’s market composition painted a picture of balance and diversity — financials made up 42% of total market value, real estate 19%, utilities 16%, and industrials 12%, with communication services and consumer staples rounding out the mix.
“DFM’s strong showing this year is no accident,” said Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai. “It reflects the success of our long-term strategy — deepening liquidity, expanding participation, and driving innovation. The momentum we’re seeing reaffirms Dubai’s standing as a global capital markets hub.”
From record trading volumes to landmark listings, DFM’s 2025 trajectory is a clear signal: Dubai’s financial engine isn’t just running — it’s accelerating into a new era of global relevance.
