Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
The UAE stock markets moved in opposite directions on Monday, with Abu Dhabi shares coming under pressure while the Dubai market recorded modest gains.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) General Index (FADGI) fell 0.506% to close at 9,943.98, remaining below the 10,000 milestone amid a bearish outlook for oil prices. Trading remained active, with 18,073 trades involving 229 million shares and a total value of Dh948 million. Total market capitalisation of ADX-listed stocks stood at Dh3.1 trillion.
Energy stocks led the decline, with ADNOC (Logistics and Services) and ADNOC Gas falling 3.05% and 1.14%, respectively.
IHC holding companies Alpha Dhabi and 2PointZero declined 2.34% and 1.54%. Banking heavyweight First Abu Dhabi Bank also slipped by more than 1%, while realty major Aldar lost 0.68%.
Losses were recorded across a broad swathe of sectors. In contrast, G42-backed AI company Presight bucked the trend, gaining 1.56%, while insurance major ADNIC rose 1.57%.
“UAE equities showed a clear divergence, reflecting market selectivity rather than broad-based risk appetite. Abu Dhabi remained under pressure, with ADX slipping below the 10,000 level as weakness in oil prices weighed on energy heavyweights and large-cap holdings, dragging sentiment across most sectors,” Milad Azar, market analyst at XTB MENA, told Aletihad.
In Dubai, the Dubai Financial Market General Index (DFMGI) rose 0.268% to close at 6,130.4. The session recorded 12,584 trades, with 189 million shares changing hands for a total value of Dh628 million. Market breadth showed 16 gainers, 28 decliners and eight unchanged stocks.
The DFM’s gains were driven mainly by Emirates NBD, which rose 2.1%. Realty asset management company Alec Holding extended its bullish run, with its stock jumping 7.9%. Emaar Development and toll operator Salik slipped by more than 0.3%, while Dubai Islamic Bank declined 1.17% and Dubai Taxi fell 1.16%.
Dubai extended its relative resilience, supported by gains in key banking stocks and selective real estate names. “The DFM’s advance, led by Emirates NBD, highlights continued investor preference for fundamentally strong stocks despite mixed market breadth. Overall, trading activity remained healthy, suggesting investors are repositioning rather than exiting the market,” Azar said.
