Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group held a bell-ringing ceremony aboard an Etihad Rail passenger train to mark the expansion of its derivatives market following the launch of six new single-stock futures.
The ceremony was held on Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi-Fujairah passenger service and brought together representatives of ADX-listed companies, brokerage firms, and other market participants, according to a statement issued by the exchange.
ADX said it was the world’s first investment bell-ringing ceremony to be held aboard a moving passenger train.
The addition of the six single-stock futures increased ADX’s derivatives offering to 17 futures products comprising 50 contracts. The exchange said the products provide investors with additional tools for hedging and portfolio management.
Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, said: “This milestone reflects how Etihad Rail is evolving into a national platform that connects industries, markets, and communities across the UAE. By hosting this first-of-its-kind activation with ADX, we are demonstrating how infrastructure can enable new economic linkages, bringing capital markets closer to where businesses operate, while supporting the nation’s economic ambitions in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to strengthen collaboration and unlock broader opportunities for the country.”
ADX said the event brought together two areas of national infrastructure — capital markets and rail transport — while highlighting the role of connectivity in bringing together businesses, investors and market opportunities.
Ghannam AlMazrouei, Chairman of the ADX Group, said: “Today’s ceremony is more than a market milestone; it is a national moment. By bringing our bell-ringing tradition onto Etihad Rail, we are signalling how UAE’s capital markets and the infrastructure ambitions move in step — connecting capital, companies and communities across the nation.”
Abdulla Salem AlNuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of the ADX Group, said the derivatives platform was providing investors and institutions with a broader range of products.
“Our derivatives platform is delivering deeper, more sophisticated solutions for investors and institutions. Adding six single-stock futures to our suite validates sustained demand for Abu Dhabi’s capital market and reinforces ADX’s commitment to widening market access to its capital markets and driving market liquidity,” AlNuaimi said.
During the journey, representatives of ADX, listed companies, brokers, and other market participants also took part in a chess activity intended to illustrate the role of derivatives in portfolio management.
The activity was inspired by Al Waseer, or the queen, described as the most versatile piece on a chessboard. ADX said the exercise was designed to show how derivatives can provide investors with greater flexibility and protection when responding to changing market conditions.
