
ADX welcomes Thndr as its first remote retail trading member
Thndr, a Hub71 start-up, is one of MENA's first fully digital investment platforms. Regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market's (ADGM) Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Thndr is set to make its mark in the UAE following its strong track record in the region.
In 2024 alone, Thndr recorded over $13 billion in trading value and executed 12 million trades. With more than four million downloads, access to three markets – the UAE, Egypt, and the U.S. – and a wide range of asset classes, including stocks, gold, mutual funds, and savings products, Thndr is building a true investment one-stop shop.
Thndr users will soon be able to invest directly in some of the most valuable listed companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the UAE through its mobile investment platform, demonstrating the ADX's commitment to connecting Abu Dhabi to global capital. This landmark announcement was made today during a special event at the ADX's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of the ADX, said: 'ADX onboarding Thndr is a transformative step in creating tangible trading bridges across the region's capital market. As the first exchange in the GCC to welcome Thndr, we are demonstrating our commitment to financial inclusion and our leadership in unlocking new investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi's robust capital market. We are setting a benchmark for digital innovation and cross-border collaboration in financial services as we continue to be a key driver in Abu Dhabi's transition to a knowledge- and investment-led economy.'
Remote Trading Members allow more individuals, international brokers, and institutions to buy and sell ADX-listed securities, in line with many international practices, without the need for physical presence in the UAE, thereby growing and diversifying the investor base, attracting foreign investment, improving liquidity, and driving more trading activity.
Launched in Egypt in 2020, Thndr has transformed investing in the region by leveraging technology to provide a modern and seamless investment solution to help users grow their wealth through an array of products.
'We're proud to celebrate this milestone with the CEO of ADX, driven by a shared belief that retail investors deserve access to a grade-A investment service, whether through a seamless app experience or powerful content that makes investing simple and clear. This partnership gives our users the chance to invest in one of the region's strongest-performing markets over the past 5, 10, and 15 years, while also opening doors to exposure within MENA through Tabadul as well as beyond MENA. As an Egyptian founder, this moment is personal, it's about building on the historic ties between Egypt and the UAE and creating new bridges for our communities to grow, invest, and win together,' said Ahmad Hammouda, Co-founder and CEO of Thndr.
'This launch is a major milestone for Thndr and a testament to an incredible partnership. The entire Thndr team worked as a united front with ADX, FSRA, Hub71, ENBD, and E& to clear major hurdles and ultimately make it simple for local and foreign individuals to participate in the UAE's impressive growth story. This collaboration truly showcases why the UAE, with ADGM at the forefront, is a beacon of progress for the region,' said Seif Amr, Thndr's Co-founder and Board Member.
The onboarding of Thndr supports ADX's key initiatives, such as the Tabadul platform, the first digital exchange center in the region that is based on the mutual market access model, and complements strategic partnerships with global exchanges by fostering innovation, enabling knowledge transfer, and advancing cross-border collaboration.
With a market capitalization of Dhs 3.1 trillion, the ADX reflects Abu Dhabi's role as a dynamic global investment hub. The ADX has been the best-performing market in the GCC region, outperforming the MSCI Emerging Markets Index over the past decade and global indices over the past 20 years.
WAM
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Campaign ME
4 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Marketers react to American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney ad: Virality vs. value
If there's one topic that absolutely every marketer seems to have an opinion on at the moment – whether spoken out loud, or silently in coffee huddles, or not verbalised but constantly thought about – it's New York Stock Exchange-listed American Eagle Outfitters' Sydney Sweeney campaign. The discussions brought back the age-old debate about how marketing campaigns ought to be judged and measured – whether success is purely based on business outcomes, brand sentiment and brand lift studies, or its social impact and effectiveness in terms of moving the needle on purpose-led conversations? At the time of writing, American Eagle shares had climbed 17 per cent since the July 23 launch of the Sydney Sweeney ad campaign, raising the apparel retailer's stock to $12.58, marking a 23.94 per cent lift month on month and sending the brand's market capitalisation soaring to $2.2bn. However, data that drives past financial milestones shows a potential reputational and brand hit, with foot traffic falling 9 per cent year-on-year for the week of August 3 to August 9, a considerable drop considering a 4 per cent decline in foot traffic the previous week, according to data shared by retail market intelligence company pass_by. Although American Eagle's mention volume rose 18 times higher following the campaign launch, according to Signal AI data, its sentiment toward the brand plummeted from +50 to -31. Meanwhile, data and insights company Consumer Edge reported that traffic to American Eagle's US website bumped up more than 60 per cent on July 28, compared with the same day the previous year, closing off the first week of the campaign's launch on a high, although several other reports indicate that sales haven't risen considerably year on year, the brand has reportedly recorded more than $2mn in sales already. Campaign Middle East kept a close eye on how brand and marketing leaders in the region have reacted, sharing their opinions on various social media channels. Here's a brief compilation of some of their thoughts: Hubert Boulos, Founder of Das Kapital, said: (sic) 'Ok loads of interpretations, like ' is this the end of woke-ism?' etc.. in the end it's just a funny clever idea that built business beyond imagination: genes sound like Jeans , a celebrity and boom… sales through the roof ( it increased the market capitalization of the brand by 400 Million USD in one day!)That's why the algorithm hates advertising… it beats it anytime and it's not even close. This is clever and light yet it did wonders. Just imagine campaigns with a little bit more creativity and depth… Ideas do actually work!' Marwa Kaabour, Group Marketing and Corporate Communications Director, Al Masaood, said: 'We've seen this before. Brands chasing attention, not intention. Provocation over purpose. And it shows. Advertising can be funny. Yet, it can even be polarising. But it must, at the very least, be aware. Aware of timing. Aware of tone. Aware of the cultural moment we're all living in. Not this jeans, not for me, not for many. There's something profoundly unsettling about American Eagle's latest campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney — and no, it's not just the awkward wordplay. Let's forget the controversy for just a second. Strip it back to the core idea. Even then — it doesn't hold. It's not that the campaign is offensive by design. It's that it's creatively thin. A hollow concept dressed up in celebrity gloss. A tagline that leans on legacy ideals of beauty and genetics. And a moment of silence where cultural insight should've been.' Mazen Hayek, an advisor to senior officials and C-suite executives in the region, pointed out how American Eagle 'doubled down on its controversial ad campaign'. He said, 'American Eagle's ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney has ignited a new brand-driven culture war about beauty standards, race and representation. While the campaign first went viral on social media, it also garnered coverage in roughly 3,000 news articles. Those generated more than 50 million readers, according to Memo readership data shared with Axios.' Fatima Shaikh, Director – Strategy, Content and Innovation – AI, Radix Media MENA, highlighted viewpoints of many others who sat on the fence, saying, 'For once, I don't seem to have an opinion. Not sure if it was good or bad. Well intended or cheeky. Smart or just bizarre.' Globally, Chelsea Burns, CEO, The Marketing Psychologist, shared, 'The campaign was engineered for outrage. Not resonance. Not representation. But reactivity. And that's exactly what happened. Over 200 million impressions in 48 hours. A dopamine spike for the brand. A cortisol crash for the audience. But here's the thing: 📉 Attention doesn't equal alignment. 📉 Nostalgia doesn't equal trust. 📉 And virality doesn't equal value.' Sharing a directly opposing viewpoint to 'virality doesn't equal value', Rhonda Swan, CEO, The Unstoppable Branding Agency, said, 'Virality beats vanilla. Was it controversial? Absolutely. Was it intentional? No question. Was it genius? 100 per cent. American Eagle didn't just drop a campaign … they dropped a cultural bomb. And it worked: ✅ $2M+ in sales ✅ Thousands of shares, stitches, and headlines ✅ Everyone talking…whether they loved it or hated it They didn't sell jeans. They sold attention. They sold a moment. They sold emotion …and the world clicked, commented and converted.' The jury's still out on whether the marketing world is going to reach a consensus. If you've got an opinion and would like it to be added into this article, drop us an email.


Arabian Post
11 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Lulu Retail Holdings Sees Profit Growth in Q2 2025
Abu Dhabi-listed Lulu Retail Holdings has posted a modest profit increase for the second quarter of 2025, with net earnings reaching $57 million, up by 2% year-on-year. The retail giant's revenue for the quarter rose by nearly 5%, hitting $2 billion. This growth was primarily attributed to like-for-like sales growth of 2.1%, reflecting strong consumer demand across its diverse range of products. In the first half of the year, Lulu Retail Holdings' performance remained robust, with a 9% rise in net profit to $127 million. The company's overall revenue surged by 5.9% to $4.1 billion, bolstered by a combination of new store openings and sustained sales across its existing locations. The results underscore the company's resilience in an increasingly competitive retail landscape, driven by strategic expansion and ongoing investment in its store network. Lulu Retail Holdings, one of the largest hypermarket chains in the Middle East, continues to capitalise on its expanding footprint in both the UAE and other regional markets. The retailer's ability to maintain steady revenue growth, even amid fluctuating consumer behaviour and economic challenges, is attributed to its diversified product offerings and operational efficiencies. Key drivers of the company's success include its focus on enhancing its digital platforms and expanding its range of private-label products, which offer higher margins compared to third-party brands. ADVERTISEMENT The group's commitment to digital transformation has become particularly evident in its e-commerce strategy. Lulu has made significant strides in improving its online presence, responding to the growing demand for online shopping in the region. The company's e-commerce sales have been a major contributor to its overall growth, with new initiatives aimed at improving delivery times and offering a wider selection of products online. This move aligns with broader regional trends, where consumers are increasingly shifting towards online shopping for convenience and competitive pricing. Store expansion has also been a key component of Lulu's strategy, contributing to its healthy performance. Over the past year, Lulu Retail Holdings has continued to increase its presence in key regional markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. The opening of new hypermarkets and supermarkets has allowed the company to tap into growing urban populations and emerging retail hubs in the Middle East. These new locations have not only driven revenue growth but have also enhanced the company's visibility and strengthened its market share in these competitive retail environments. Despite the global economic uncertainty and rising inflationary pressures, Lulu Retail Holdings has managed to maintain strong sales figures by focusing on its core customer base while diversifying its offerings. In addition to its food and grocery segments, the company has expanded its non-food categories, including electronics, fashion, and home goods, attracting a broader demographic. The retailer's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, such as the increasing demand for health and wellness products, has also supported its continued growth. Lulu's performance is also reflective of the broader trends in the retail industry within the region. As more consumers opt for quality and convenience, hypermarket chains like Lulu are well-positioned to capture a larger share of the market. The company's large-scale operations, combined with its ability to offer competitive prices and high-quality products, are key factors that have helped it to navigate the challenges posed by shifting economic conditions.


Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Union Coop sees higher profits in H1-25; revenues exceed $299mln
Dubai – Union Coop logged higher net profits at AED 173.57 million in the first half (H1) of 2025, versus AED 163.14 million a year earlier. Total income from operating activities amounted to AED 1.15 billion as of 30 June 2025, compared to AED 1.09 billion in H1-24, according to the financial results. Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) edged up to AED 0.10 in H1-25 from AED 0.09 in the first six months (6M) of 2024. Financials for Q2-25 In the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, Union Coop generated AED 74.21 million in net profit, up year-on-year (YoY) from AED 65.82 million. Basic and diluted EPS reached AED 0.04 in Q2-25, unchanged from Q2-24. The DFM-listed company reported total income valued at AED 566.14 million in April-June 2025, higher than AED 527.41 million in the year-ago period. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2025 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (