Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
UAE stock markets traded in a relatively stable zone on Wednesday despite no signs of easing in the unstable geopolitical environment.
The ADX General Index (FADGI) edged up 0.06% to close at 9,705.19. Trading activity remained robust, with 26,235 trades involving 322 million shares valued at Dh1.1 billion.
A bulk trade worth Dh51.6 million involving Anan Investment was reported. The total market capitalisation of ADX-listed stocks stood at Dh2.814 trillion.
Banking stocks showed mixed performance, with First Abu Dhabi Bank rising 2.63%. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank slipped 0.4%, while Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank fell 0.15%.
ADNOC-linked stocks remained relatively resilient amid broader selling pressure. ADNOC Distribution gained 1.32% after reporting a net profit of $210 million for the first quarter of 2026, up 20.7% year-on-year. ADNOC Drilling rose 0.81%, while ADNOC Gas and ADNOC Logistics and Services closed flat. Borouge lost 0.4%, while Fertiglobe slipped 0.3%.
Holding company 2PointZero remained unchanged at Dh2.05, while Alpha Dhabi fell 2.61%. Real estate major Aldar slipped 0.13%.
EMSTEEL gained 5.36% after reporting a net profit of Dh299 million for the first quarter of 2026, up 246% year-on-year.
In Dubai, the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) General Index (DFMGI) declined 0.41% to close at 5,759.17. The session recorded 20,334 trades, with 261 million shares changing hands for a total value of Dh953 million. Market breadth remained negative, with 16 gainers, 28 decliners and nine stocks unchanged.
Real estate giants Emaar Properties and Emaar Development recorded relatively smaller declines compared with previous sessions, falling 0.34% and 0.14%, respectively. Emirates NBD lost 0.85%, while Dubai Islamic Bank slipped 1.1%.
Road toll operator Salik gained 1.95%, while parking operator Parkin rose 2.24%, providing some support to the market.
Sharjah-based carrier Air Arabia fell 0.4%. DEWA lost 0.72% after gaining more than 3% in the previous session. Talabat declined 5% and was the most traded stock by value.
“Nervy trading persisted across UAE bourses as prospects for a resolution to the US-Iran conflict hang in the balance,” Adam Vettese, Market Analyst at eToro, said.
“The ADX closed flat, with materials stocks leading the gainers, while Abu Dhabi Ports shares gained 0.5% after reporting strong first-quarter results,” Vettese said in his analysis of ADX trading.
Net profit attributable to shareholders at Abu Dhabi Ports surged 41% year-on-year, comfortably beating analyst estimates, driven by higher capacity utilisation and new logistics corridors, Vettese added.
“Market participants remained wary of potential volatility, and indices may continue to trade in a narrow range until clearer signals emerge on both the geopolitical and macroeconomic fronts,” Vettese said.
