Business

As the UAE celebrates its National Day, the country’s financial markets are marking a landmark year driven by strong performances from Emirati and UAE-listed companies. Foreign investment has continued to rise throughout 2025, supported by the nation’s robust economic expansion, long-term innovation agenda, and its status as a stable and attractive destination amid global market volatility.

According to Farhan Badami, Business Development Manager at eToro, local champions across real estate, banking, and technology have played a decisive role in shaping the UAE’s market strength. “As the country continues to invest in innovation, infrastructure, and business-friendly reforms, we are seeing both local and international investors increasingly view the UAE as a core market in their portfolios,” he said.

Union Properties leads DFM with a 91% return

Among the year’s standout performers, Union Properties has emerged as one of the Dubai Financial Market’s strongest stocks, delivering a remarkable 91% return. Renewed investor confidence, rising demand for Dubai’s residential properties, population growth, and improved balance-sheet fundamentals have strengthened the developer’s position in a competitive sector long dominated by Emaar and Aldar.

Amlak Finance benefits from Dubai’s real estate momentum

Amlak Finance also posted significant gains of more than 80% on the DFM. As a leading Sharia-compliant mortgage finance provider, Amlak has capitalised on the surge in property transactions across Dubai. Buoyant mortgage activity and solid third-quarter earnings have made the stock an attractive choice for investors seeking indirect exposure to the city’s real estate boom.

ADIB outperforms on ADX as banking sector shines

In Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) topped the ADX with a rise of more than 44% in 2025. Strong performance across retail and corporate banking fuelled the bank’s earnings, reinforcing the significance of the financial sector in Abu Dhabi’s economic ecosystem. Four of the top ten performers on the ADX this year came from the banking sector, highlighting consistent investor confidence in Sharia-compliant and conventional banking institutions.

Presight AI underscores the UAE’s technological ambitions

The UAE’s strategic push into advanced technology has been exemplified by the strong performance of Presight AI, whose shares climbed 42% this year. The company’s growth reflects Abu Dhabi’s expanding investments in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital infrastructure. As regional demand for AI-driven solutions rises, Presight AI continues to represent a major pillar of the UAE’s ambition to become a global technology leader.

Local investors remain committed to UAE markets

Insights from the latest Retail Investor Beat survey show that UAE retail investors maintain one of the highest levels of preference globally for investing in local companies. This aligns closely with the strong performance seen in 2025 across real estate, banking, and technology — the sectors most favoured by UAE-based investors.

As the UAE marks its National Day, the outstanding performance of these leading companies reflects the nation’s confidence, economic momentum, and forward-looking vision that continue to shape its role as a regional and global financial hub.

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