Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Amid evolving regional dynamics, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a stable economic hub, with investors demonstrating resilience, strategic discipline, and growing confidence in long-term growth.
Aletihad spoke to experts who said UAE investors are adapting to volatility with discipline, diversification, and a long-term focus.
George Naddaf, Managing Director of eToro Middle East, said UAE investors are demonstrating resilience despite geopolitical pressures, as they actively rebalance portfolios in response to shifting market conditions.
He noted that based on their recent UAE Retail Investor Beat, around 33% have already made adjustments, particularly by increasing exposure to commodities such as gold and energy, adding that “investors are using periods of weakness to add quality positions, reflecting a clear buy the dip strategy, especially in AI infrastructure and major technology stocks such as ServiceNow, Super Micro Computer, and Adobe”.
He added that market volatility is creating new opportunities, explaining that fluctuations “bring prices to better entry points, encouraging investors to diversify across commodities, local equities, and global stocks”, which has driven a shift toward gold and oil, alongside renewed interest in UAE equities with recovery potential.
At the same time, investors are becoming more aware that recent movements have been sentiment-driven, prompting more calculated portfolio repositioning.
Naddaf stressed that the UAE’s strong fundamentals continue to support confidence, noting that it remains “among the world's quickest economies to rebound”, backed by proactive policymaking and a diversified growth model.
He also highlighted a rise in financial awareness, with around 45% of investors now adopting longer holding periods, while “80% of investors have already adjusted or plan to adjust their portfolios” in response to geopolitical developments, reflecting a more disciplined approach.
In terms of opportunities, he said commodities are leading, with 56% of clients already invested and 30% planning to increase exposure. Gold and oil remain dominant, with 92% expecting oil prices to rise and 84% anticipating gains in gold, while interest is also growing in energy, materials, technology and local markets such as the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
Offering practical advice, he emphasised discipline, stating that “investors should not try to trade the news, but instead focus on quality assets and maintain diversified portfolios to manage risk and support long-term performance”.
Meanwhile, Anand Joawn, General Manager of Dow Jones, said the UAE’s resilience is rooted in long-term structural strength rather than short-term responses. “Resilience is not a static state; it is a muscle, and the UAE is demonstrating one of the strongest economic capacities globally, supported by decades of investment in infrastructure that allows systems to absorb disruption while maintaining stability,” he said.
He stressed that national strategies such as UAE 2031 are central to this strength, noting that “without such long-term planning, the economy would have buckled weeks ago, but instead it continues to perform steadily due to sustained investment in key sectors.”
He added that strong fiscal buffers further reinforce confidence, explaining that “the UAE’s sovereign wealth funds, estimated at around four times GDP, provide a level of economic security that strengthens investor trust even during periods of uncertainty”.
Joawn said the UAE has evolved into a global economic anchor, with investor sentiment shifting significantly over the past decade. “Investors are no longer asking whether to exit the market, but rather how to position themselves for recovery and long-term growth, reflecting deeper confidence in the UAE economy,” he said.
He further highlighted that trust stems from operational stability and continuity. “The UAE follows a ‘calibrate and continue’ approach, allowing businesses to remain active and adapt to geopolitical challenges without disrupting overall economic momentum,” he said.
