Today's Edition
A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Despite a volatile regional backdrop, the UAE stock markets registered strong gains in June 2025, with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) main index rising 2.8% and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) index advancing 4.1%, according to Kamco Invest’s latest GCC Markets Monthly Report.
The performance reflected a continuation of positive momentum, with both exchanges recording their third consecutive monthly increases. Kamco Invest noted, “GCC markets recover strongly despite geopolitical tensions and crude oil volatility,” pointing to a resilient investor sentiment across the region.
The ADX General Index closed June at 9,957.52 points, marking a year-to-date gain of 5.7% and a second quarter increase of 6.3%. The rally was broad-based, with eight out of 10 sector indices ending in the green. Real estate led the charge, surging 7.8%, followed by the utilities sector, which gained 6.7% on the back of a strong performance by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA). The report noted that share prices rose in four of the five companies within the real estate sector.
Among individual stocks, Abu Dhabi National Co. for Building Materials was the top performer, soaring 125.3% in June. Other notable gainers included Fujairah Cement Industries (+77.2%) and Al Khaleej Investment Co. (+52.8%). On the downside, Insurance House fell 12%, while Oman & Emirates Investment Holding and Hily Holding dropped 10% and 9.7%, respectively.
While price movements were positive, trading activity on the ADX softened. The total value of shares traded declined by 14% to Dh26.3 billion, while volumes fell 4.4% to 6.6 billion shares. ADNOC Gas was the most traded stock by volume, followed by Multiply Group and Phoenix Group. In terms of value, First Abu Dhabi Bank led with Dh3.3 billion, trailed by IHC and ADNOC Gas.
On the Dubai bourse, the DFM General Index closed at 5,705.76 points, taking its year-to-date growth to an impressive 10.6%. Sectoral performance was largely positive, with six out of eight sector indices posting gains during the month, while the remaining two recorded declines. The materials index jumped 21.9%, followed by a 10.8% rise in the industrial sector. The heavyweight financial and real estate indices also recorded robust gains of 4.7% each.
Amlak Finance emerged as the month’s best-performing stock, climbing 49.1%. Union Properties and United Foods Co. also posted notable increases of 34.6% and 29.5%, respectively. The utilities sector, led by DEWA, contributed a 4.3% gain to the overall index.
Kamco’s report observed that “trading activity on the exchange increased in June despite the Eid holidays,” with volumes up 54.6% to 7 billion shares. However, the value traded remained flat at Dh15.1 billion. Union Properties topped the monthly trading volume chart with 1.2 billion shares exchanged, while Emaar Properties led in traded value with Dh3.6 billion.
On the macroeconomic front, the report also cited the UAE Central Bank’s projections, noting that the country’s real GDP is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2025 and 5.4% in 2026. The central bank attributed the outlook to “strong momentum in non-hydrocarbon activities and robust performance in the hydrocarbon sector,” aided by revised OPEC+ production plans.
Real estate sentiment in Dubai remains upbeat. Data cited by Kamco from Property Finder highlighted record-breaking activity in May 2025, with total sales hitting Dh66.8 billion. Off-plan transactions saw a staggering 314% year-on-year increase, while the ready market also posted strong 21% growth.
Overall, the robust gains across ADX and DFM reflect sustained investor confidence, improving economic fundamentals, and increasing interest in real estate, finance, and energy sectors. As Kamco concluded, the “broad-based recovery” and “consistent monthly advances” underscore the resilience of the UAE’s financial markets heading into the second half of 2025.
Looking at the regional picture, Kamco noted: “After falling to the lowest level in two months during the first half of June 2025, the GCC market index witnessed strong and consistent recovery during the second half of the month, resulting in a 3.1% gain in the MSCI GCC index.” The gains were broad-based, with almost all markets closing in positive territory, barring Oman, which dipped 1.3%. Kuwait led regional performance with a 4.2% rise, followed by Dubai at 4.1%. Qatar added 2.7% while Saudi Arabia gained 1.6% during the month.
