Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has announced its consolidated financial results for the six months ending 30 June 2025, reporting a net profit before tax of AED 777.1 million, a 298% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The DFM General Index rose by 10.6% during the first half of the year, while total market capitalisation increased by 9.7% year-on-year to AED 995 billion.

These gains were supported by local market strength and global interest in resilient, growth-oriented markets.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said:

“DFM delivered a positive performance in the first half of 2025, underpinned by growing market depth and investor engagement. The rise in the DFM General Index, alongside sustained participation from institutional and foreign investors, is set against the backdrop of a dynamic Dubai economy, where record real estate activity, growing hedge fund presence, and increased capital flows have reinforced the emirate’s status as a global financial hub.”

DFM’s consolidated revenue rose 191% to AED 888.9 million, driven by higher operating income, solid investment returns, and one-off income from the sale of an investment property.

Operating expenses, excluding tax, were AED 111.8 million, slightly up from AED 110.3 million in the first half of 2024, reflecting ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology.

In the second quarter alone, total revenue stood at AED 702.5 million, compared to AED 157.6 million in Q2 2024.

Net profit before tax was AED 642.2 million, up from AED 99.8 million a year earlier.

Trading activity also increased.

The average daily traded value rose 75% year-on-year to AED 692 million, contributing to a total traded value of AED 85 billion in the first half, compared to AED 48 billion in the same period last year.

The average number of daily trades rose 37% to approximately 13,900.

DFM registered 53,655 new investors in the first half of the year, of which 84% were foreign investors, bringing the total investor base to over 1.2 million.

Institutional trading accounted for 71% of total activity, while foreign investors contributed 53% of trading and held 20% of market capitalisation.

In June, DFM took part in HSBC’s GCC Exchanges Conference in London, which brought together over 300 institutional investors, more than 100 corporates, and all GCC exchanges.

Discussions centred on the increasing global interest in the region, including a 33% year-on-year increase in GCC IPO activity during the first quarter of 2025.

During the first half of the year, DFM also hosted the initial public offering of Dubai Residential REIT (DUBAIRESI), the first and largest listed residential leasing-focused REIT in the GCC.

The offering raised AED 2.145 billion and was significantly oversubscribed, with demand exceeding AED 56 billion.

The REIT debuted with a market capitalisation of AED 14.3 billion.

DFM also held the third MENA Capital Market Summit in May, which attracted over 1,500 attendees and more than 100 speakers.

During the event, DFM launched two AI features in its iVestor app: Smart Disclosures and Financial Summary, aimed at improving access to company data and key financial information.

The exchange also continued to enhance its Arena platform, which is designed to broaden capital access and diversify investment opportunities.

Dubai’s market capitalisation reached AED 995 billion at the end of June, with financials accounting for 40%, real estate 20%, utilities 17%, industrials 12%, communication services 5%, and consumer staples and other sectors making up the remainder.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by sitthiphong via Freepik