Dubai Financial Market Reports $288.6m Profit for 2025, Up 159%
RIYADH — Dubai Financial Market has reported a sharp rise in profitability for 2025, posting a net profit before tax of 1.06 billion dirhams ($288.6 million), representing a 159 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The strong performance was driven by sustained investor confidence in Dubai’s capital markets and elevated trading activity throughout the year, with momentum continuing into the fourth quarter. The results coincide with the exchange marking its 25th anniversary, underscoring its evolution into a more globally connected and institutionally driven marketplace, according to the Emirates News Agency.
For the year ending Dec. 31, consolidated revenues rose to 1.28 billion dirhams, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization reached 1.13 billion dirhams. This translated into a robust EBITDA margin of 88 percent, reflecting high operational efficiency.
The results come as Dubai advances its Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and reinforce its status as a global financial hub. The UAE Central Bank has highlighted strong capital market momentum and low sovereign risk indicators in 2025, providing a supportive backdrop for increased trading activity.
Helal Al-Marri, chairman of DFM, said the exchange’s performance reflects the resilience of Dubai’s financial ecosystem. “As we mark 25 years since the establishment of DFM, the exchange continues to play a central role in supporting transparency, liquidity, and long-term market development in line with Dubai’s economic vision,” he said.
Fourth-quarter net profit before tax rose to 124.4 million dirhams, up from 110.6 million dirhams in the same period of 2024, indicating sustained trading strength toward year-end. Over the full year, the DFM General Index climbed 17.2 percent, while total market capitalization reached 992 billion dirhams.
Liquidity levels reached their highest in more than a decade, with average daily traded value rising to 692 million dirhams and total traded value hitting 174 billion dirhams. The average daily number of trades increased 31 percent year on year, supported by growing institutional and cross-border participation.
Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said the exchange continued to enhance market accessibility and infrastructure in 2025, supporting a broader range of investment activity.
Investor participation also expanded significantly, with 97,394 new investors joining the market during the year — 84 percent of whom were foreign. Foreign investors accounted for 51 percent of total trading value, while institutional investors represented 71 percent of activity. The total investor base reached 1.25 million.
Capital-raising activity further diversified the market. DFM hosted Dubai Residential REIT, the region’s first publicly traded residential leasing REIT, alongside major listings including ALEC Holdings and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co. The exchange also rolled out new initiatives such as a centralized securities lending and borrowing framework and AI-enabled enhancements to its iVestor platform.
Looking ahead, DFM said it remains focused on boosting liquidity, expanding product offerings, and deepening global connectivity, supported by a strong financial position and a diversified investor base.
