- The combined market capitalization of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market reached 3.7 trillion dirhams ($1.01 trillion) by September 2026.
- Total trading value for the first nine months of 2026 was 408 billion dirhams, with foreign investors accounting for 49% of this trading activity.
Updated 4 min 10 sec ago
October 27, 2026 14:37
RIYADH: The UAE’s financial sector continues its robust growth trajectory, with the Capital Markets Authority reporting a 43% year-on-year increase in licensed companies during the first nine months of 2026. Licensed professionals in the sector saw an even more substantial rise of 64% during the same period.
These figures underscore the ongoing expansion of the UAE’s regulated financial services landscape. By the end of September 2026, the combined market capitalization of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market had reached 3.7 trillion dirhams ($1.01 trillion), according to official data from the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Trading activity remained vigorous, with total trading value reaching 408 billion dirhams in the first nine months of the year. Foreign investors played a significant role, accounting for 49% of this trading volume, as noted in WAM’s report citing authority data.
Market conditions showed improvement in the third quarter, with bond and sukuk issuances totaling 576 billion dirhams. The local investment fund landscape also experienced notable growth, with the number of funds increasing 94% to 97, while assets under management rose 30% to 28.6 billion dirhams.
The fundamental strength of the market is reflected in rising indices, with both the ADX and DFM general indices closing at higher levels in September 2026 compared to the previous year, according to WAM.
Companies continued to strengthen their capital positions, recording capital increases worth 3.4 billion dirhams during the reporting period.
In a move reflecting growing interest in digital finance, the number of registered financial influencers surged 125% year-on-year to reach 198 by the end of September.
Enhanced investor protection measures were also evident, with the authority imposing 246% more financial penalties year-on-year. The total value of these fines increased 23% to 12.9 million dirhams. The authority handled 192% more client complaints and successfully returned approximately 1.2 billion dirhams to investors during the period.
Regulatory development remained active, with the authority issuing six new regulatory instruments, including a comprehensive virtual assets framework. This framework was accompanied by the registration of 102 virtual assets during the third quarter alone.