Dubai’s financial markets have been on a remarkable run this year, driven by a combination of solid economic momentum, strong earnings from major listed firms, and renewed appetite from international investors.

By the end of July 2025, the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) had added a whopping AED 153.11 billion to its market capitalization, bringing its total value to AED 1.06 trillion. That’s up from AED 906.9 billion at the close of 2024—a clear signal that Dubai’s markets are not just recovering, but thriving.

The main index rose by 19.39% in just seven months, climbing from 5,158 points in December to 6,159 by the end of July, placing DFM ahead of its Gulf peers in terms of performance.

Sector Gains Lead the Charge

Fueling this rise were gains across several key sectors. Telecoms led the way with a 33.5% jump, followed by banks at 28.35%, industry at 21.6%, and real estate, which grew by 20%.

Investors weren’t just betting on Dubai’s economy—they were acting on solid numbers. Many companies posted strong first-half results, attracting fresh capital and raising confidence across the board.

Foreign investors, especially non-Arabs, played a major role. They injected over AED 5.5 billion in net purchases into the market, buying AED 44 billion worth of shares while selling off just AED 38.5 billion.

Standout Stocks of 2025 (So Far)

A number of stocks made headlines with double- and even triple-digit growth. Union Properties more than doubled in value, up 112.9%. Amlak followed closely with a 94.9% increase. Other notable movers included United Foods (+53.3%), Al Mal Capital’s IPO “Iktatab” (+51.1%), Commercial Bank of Dubai (+44.1%), and Dubai Islamic Bank (+40.7%).

Telecom giant du gained 33.5%, and Parkin, Dubai’s parking services firm, rose by 26.7%.

July Alone Added AED 64.7 Billion

The month of July was especially strong, with the index gaining nearly 8% and market capitalization increasing by AED 64.69 billion in just 31 days.

George Pavel, Regional Director at Naga.com, described DFM’s performance as one of its best in recent memory. “The market is seeing a powerful combination of earnings strength, economic resilience, and global investor confidence,” he said. “It’s the kind of foundation that suggests long-term, sustainable growth.”

Pavel also pointed to Dubai’s ongoing economic diversification and a clear shift toward a more structured and mature financial environment.

Foreign Investors Flock to the Market

In the first half of 2025, more than 53,600 new investors joined the Dubai market—84% of them from outside the UAE. That pushed the total number of investors past 1.2 million, a testament to Dubai’s growing appeal on the global stage.

Institutions made up 71% of total trading, and foreigners accounted for more than half of all trade volume, according to data released by DFM.

Daily trading activity surged as well. The average value of trades jumped by 75% compared to last year, reaching AED 692 million per day. Total trading value hit AED 85 billion in the first six months—up from AED 48 billion during the same period in 2024.

DFM also saw its pre-tax profits skyrocket—up 298% year-on-year to AED 777.1 million.

A Market on the Move

Looking ahead, the outlook remains bright. The general market index climbed by 10.6% in the first half alone, while the total value of listed companies rose nearly 10% year-on-year.

With solid earnings, high investor participation, and a growing global profile, Dubai’s stock market is proving that it’s not just keeping pace with the world—it’s setting the tone.