The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) experienced a significant boost in trading momentum during the first half of 2026, with the total value of traded shares climbing 40.4% to Dh119.5 billion. This surge in market activity was underscored by a 45.1% rise in average daily traded value, which surpassed the Dh1 billion mark for the period. While the exchange reported a dip in net profit compared to the previous year—largely due to a one-off property sale gain in 2025—the core operating performance remained robust. DFM Chairman Helal Saeed Al Marri noted that these figures reflect a maturing financial ecosystem and growing investor confidence, aligning with the broader goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Investor participation served as the primary engine for this growth, with over 42,000 new accounts opened during the six-month window, the vast majority being international registrants. Institutional investors continued to dominate the landscape, accounting for more than 70% of total traded value and maintaining a firm hold on market ownership. Although the total market capitalisation saw a marginal dip of 1.4% to Dh981.6 billion, leadership at DFM and Nasdaq Dubai remains optimistic. They intend to build on this liquidity and momentum by further enhancing market infrastructure and expanding the range of investment opportunities available to both local and global stakeholders.