DFM profit jumps 40% on foreign investor support

Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the operator of the emirate’s stock exchange, said net profit grew by a high double-digit rate in the first quarter of 2026, supported by foreign and institutional investors.

Net profit attributable to shareholders climbed 40 percent to AED178 million ($49 million) between January and March, compared to AED127 million a year ago.

Total consolidated revenue rose 35 percent annually to AED253 million, as trading commission fees almost doubled, while clearing settlement and depository fees grew nearly fourfold, the company said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market.

Average daily trading value exceeded AED1 billion, rising 60 percent from AED663 million in the first quarter of 2025. Total traded value rose by 48 percent year-on-year to AED61 billion.

DFM added 20,702 new investors in the quarter ending March, with 79 percent coming from global markets. Foreign investors contributed 54 percent of the total trading value, while institutional investors accounted for 70 percent.

The benchmark index recorded strong momentum in January and February, but closed the quarter down 10 percent following the start of the Iran war. However, trading activity remained healthy, supported by continued participation across investor segments.

Market capitalisation stood at AED897 billion at the end of March 2026.

DFM stock closed more than 2 percent lower at AED1.43 on Thursday. The share price has fallen 13 percent this year.
Borse Dubai Limited owns 80.66 percent of DFM and is co-owned by Investment Corporation of Dubai (60 percent), Dubai Group (20 percent), and DIFC Investments (20 percent). 

Further reading:

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• Dubai is open for business – but not yet business as usual
• Dubai leads Middle East in global financial rankings