Banks and real estate companies listed on the UAE’s two main stock exchanges reported combined net profits of AED 109.33 billion in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 10.6% from AED 98.83 billion a year earlier.
The AED 10.5 billion rise came as both sectors benefited from continued economic activity, stronger operating revenues, and demand for banking services and property developments. The results also reflected the financial strength of listed institutions and their ability to generate income across different business activities.
Of the 22 institutions covered, 15 were banks listed on the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Together, they earned approximately AED 72.5 billion between January and September, compared with AED 67.65 billion during the same months of 2025.
That represented growth of 7.16%, or nearly AED 4.85 billion in additional profits, with higher operating revenues contributing to the increase.
Dubai Financial Market
On the Dubai Financial Market, six listed banks reported combined net profits of AED 34.04 billion for the nine-month period, compared with AED 32.8 billion in the corresponding period last year. The figures showed a 3.7% increase in earnings.
Emirates NBD accounted for the largest share, recording AED 19.29 billion in net profits. Mashreq Bank followed with AED 6.12 billion, while Dubai Islamic Bank reported AED 5.61 billion.
Commercial Bank of Dubai earned AED 2.68 billion during the period. Ajman Bank contributed AED 326.1 million, and Emirates Investment Bank recorded AED 18 million.
The six banks’ results reflected continued profitability across Dubai’s listed banking institutions, with Emirates NBD leading the market in total earnings.
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
A stronger rate of earnings growth was recorded among banks listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where nine institutions generated combined net profits of AED 38.45 billion in the first nine months of 2026.
Profits were up 10.45% from AED 34.81 billion in the same period of 2025, with several of the market’s largest lenders reporting substantial earnings.
First Abu Dhabi Bank led the group with AED 16.52 billion in net profits. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank ranked second at AED 10.29 billion, followed by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank with AED 5.61 billion.
National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah reported AED 2.52 billion, while Sharjah Islamic Bank earned AED 1.21 billion. National Bank of Fujairah also passed the AED 1 billion mark, recording AED 1.04 billion.
Among the remaining institutions, Bank of Sharjah posted AED 558.3 million in net profits, National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain recorded AED 378.2 million, and United Arab Bank reported AED 333 million.
The figures reflected the contribution of banks of different sizes to the overall growth in profits on the Abu Dhabi market.
Factors Supporting Growth
Growth in deposits, banking assets, and lending activity played an important role in the UAE banking sector’s nine-month performance. Banks also benefited from improved revenues and asset quality, while lower levels of non-performing loans helped support profitability.
Hani Abu Aqla, Senior Market Analyst at XTB, said, “The second factor is the growth in deposits and banking assets in general, alongside improved banking revenues and the benefit from asset quality, as well as a decline in non-performing loans, which contributed to supporting bank profitability and maintaining their performance levels.”
Abu Aqla explained that “the UAE banking sector recorded profit growth of around 7%, with profits exceeding AED 72 billion,” adding that “these results reflect the strength of the banking sector and its ability to benefit from economic growth and population growth in the country.”
Alongside business activity, population growth has been another source of demand for banking products and services. As the UAE continues to attract residents, banks are seeing greater demand from individuals and businesses for financing and other financial services.
Abu Aqla also pointed to opportunities for banks to maintain earnings growth in the final quarter of 2026, supported by their financial positions, continued lending expansion, and economic activity across the country.
Interest rates remain an important consideration for the months ahead. Changes in US Federal Reserve policy can affect banks’ interest margins, funding costs, and asset quality.
Abu Aqla noted that interest rates remaining at elevated levels could support interest income, as reflected in the results of institutions including First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.
Strong Performance
The property sector also recorded a substantial increase in earnings during the first nine months of 2026, with seven real estate companies listed on UAE financial markets reporting combined net profits of AED 36.83 billion.
That was 18.12% higher than the AED 31.18 billion earned during the same period in 2025, reflecting continued demand for residential units and property developments in the UAE.
The seven companies were Emaar Properties, Emaar Development, TECOM Group, Deyaar Development, Union Properties, Aldar Properties, and Ras Al Khaimah Properties.
Their combined revenues exceeded AED 91.33 billion between January and September, up 14.86% from approximately AED 79.51 billion a year earlier. Growth in real estate and tourism activities contributed to the increase.
Wael Mahdi, Trading Manager at Daman Securities, said, “The results of banks and real estate companies listed on UAE markets confirm the ability of both sectors to maintain strong levels of profitability and growth, benefiting from solid financial positions, diversified income sources, and continued demand for financing and real estate projects.”
Mahdi noted that UAE banks had delivered financial results during the first nine months of the year that were considerably better than forecasts issued by international institutions.
He also highlighted the growth in bank deposits and lending, alongside the absence of increases in banking provisions, as positive signs for the sector’s financial performance.
The earnings reported by banks and property companies have supported expectations that cash dividend distributions could remain at levels comparable to those recorded in 2025.
Both the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange maintained favorable technical levels, with the performance of banking and real estate stocks providing support to the two markets.
For property companies, demand for residential developments remained an important driver of growth. The expansion of tourism and commercial activities also contributed to higher revenues and profitability, supporting the performance of the seven listed real estate businesses during the nine-month period.
