Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
UAE stock markets posted solid gains in Monday’s trading, with the Dubai benchmark index rising by more than 2%.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) General Index (FADGI) rose 0.547% to close at 10,338.00. Trading remained active, with 20,759 trades involving 260 million shares and a total value of Dh1.17 billion. Total market capitalisation of ADX-listed stocks stood at Dh3.155 trillion.
Banking heavyweights led the rally, with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank gaining 1.84%, while Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank added 1.89%. First Abu Dhabi Bank also recorded an uptick of 0.75%.
Property major Aldar advanced 1.77% after announcing the acquisition of a new land bank with a development value of Dh23 billion. Holding company Alpha Dhabi rose 1.34%, while another holding firm, 2PointZero, declined 2.21%. State energy company TAQA gained 3.13%.
Among the prominent decliners were Gulf Cement, Al Khaleej Investment and crypto miner Phoneix Group, which fell between 2% and 3%.
In Dubai, the Dubai Financial Market General Index (DFMGI) jumped 2.144% to close at 6,573.36. The session saw 14,582 trades, with 211 million shares changing hands for a total value of Dh900 million. Market breadth reflected 31 gainers, 12 decliners and nine unchanged stocks.
Heavyweight stocks led the surge, with Emaar, Emaar Development and Emirates NBD rising 4%, 4.7% and 6.1%, respectively, driving the sharp advance in the benchmark index. Dubai Islamic Bank gained 1.5%, while Sharjah-based airline Air Arabia added 2%.
Islamic finance company Amlak also rose 1.7%, emerging as the most traded stock in terms of volume.
Commenting on the session, Milad Azar, Market Analyst at XTB MENA, said UAE equities extended their positive momentum, with Dubai outperforming on strong buying interest in heavyweight names.
“The sharp rise in the DFM reflects renewed confidence, supported by banking and real estate stocks, as liquidity selectively returned to large-cap counters,” Azar said.
Referring to trading on the ADX, Azar said gains were steadier but broad-based, led by banks, energy and property stocks.
“Aldar’s land acquisition reinforced growth visibility, while TAQA’s surge highlighted defensive appeal. Overall, the session signals improving sentiment, though stock-specific divergence suggests investors remain fundamentally selective,” he added.
Analysing the markets, Adam Vettese, Account Manager at eToro, said investors rotated selectively into financials against a backdrop of steady global risk sentiment.
Apex Investments and Insurance House featured among the standout risers, with investors continuing to react positively to Apex’s recent full-year earnings and ongoing M&A speculation surrounding Insurance House, after Sohar International discontinued its interest in acquiring the firm on Monday, Vettese said.
“In contrast, cement names such as Gulf Cement and Fujairah Cement came under pressure, giving back part of their recent rallies amid profit-taking in cyclicals,” he added.
