UAE retail investors upbeat amid economic growth, tech boom
Retail investors in the UAE are overwhelmingly optimistic about the prospects for the UAE stock market in 2025 with 80 per cent of a survey participants expecting growth.
This optimistic outlook highlights a deepening confidence in the UAE's economy, particularly as it continues to diversify and modernise its financial landscape, a recent survey by trading platform eToro reveals.
The survey, which assessed the investment attitudes of local retail investors, identified real estate and construction as the most promising sectors, with 53 per cent of respondents favouring these areas. Technology and telecommunications closely followed, garnering 43 per cent support, while banking and financial services were favored by 42 per cent of investors.
George Naddaf, managing director for Mena at eToro, said as the UAE continues to advance its financial infrastructure and attract foreign investments, the economic outlook remains highly promising. 'The government's commitment to economic diversification and capital market development creates robust opportunities for investors," he said.
In addition to local market confidence, UAE retail investors are also eyeing global investment opportunities. The survey found that 79 per cent plan to focus on financial services, 72 per cent on technology, and 70 per cent on communications in the first quarter of 2025. A significant driver of this optimism is the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence (AI), with 81 per cent of investors expecting stock prices of AI-driven companies to rise this year.
The crypto market is also capturing the attention of UAE investors. A striking 81 per cent indicated plans to invest in cryptoassets in the upcoming quarter. This enthusiasm follows a remarkable surge in crypto prices, which recently surpassed $109,000. Additionally, 78 per cent of respondents are interested in commodities, while 77 per cent are looking at alternative investments, including real estate and private equity.
"AI and cryptoassets dominated 2024 and continue to be pivotal in driving market momentum in early 2025. The sustained interest in crypto underscores investors' ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends. However, it's crucial for investors to diversify their portfolios to manage risk effectively," Naddaf said.
The robust market capitalisations of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) reflect this investor confidence, with total market cap exceeding Dh3.91 trillion in 2024. The ADX alone reached nearly Dh3 trillion by the end of the year, while the DFM's market capitalisation climbed to Dh907 billion, up from Dh687 billion in 2023.
This growth is attributed to a resilient economy and a surge in foreign investments, alongside a flurry of initial public offerings (IPOs). In 2024, Gulf IPOs raised a total of $12.1 billion, with 48 IPOs across six GCC countries, including seven in the UAE. The successful IPOs spanned various sectors such as retail, healthcare, and financial services, contributing to the deepening of the region's stock markets.
Looking ahead, the IPO landscape in the GCC appears promising for 2025, buoyed by strong investor demand and continued governmental efforts to diversify economies. According to Kamco Invest, approximately 40 IPOs are in the pipeline across the GCC, with 30 already announced and several others rumored.
In the UAE specifically, notable potential listings include hotel operator FIVE and two real estate offerings from Dubai Holdings. Other companies rumored to be considering IPOs include Dubizzle Group, Alpha Data, and ALEC Engineering & Contracting LLC.
Kamco analysts highlighted the robust activity in GCC equity markets, noting that 2024 recorded the highest number of IPOs in the region since 2023, with total proceeds reaching $12.9 billion, a 19.8 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
As UAE retail investors prepare for 2025, their confidence in the market, bolstered by advances in technology and a diversification strategy, indicates a bright future for the region's investment landscape.
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