logo

Dubai Financial Market achieves strong growth in Q1 of 2025

Zawya02-05-2025

DUBAI - Dubai Financial Market (PJSC) today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter ending on 31 March 2025, underpinned by record trading activity and sustained investor engagement.
During Q1 2025, DFM achieved its highest Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV) in more than a decade at AED 663 million, a 67% year-on-year increase, alongside a 61% surge in total traded value to AED 41 billion, compared to 25.5B in Q1 last year.
Alongside this robust trading performance, DFM's total consolidated revenue reached AED 186.5 million in Q1 2025, compared to AED 148.1 million in the same period of 2024. Revenue comprised AED 86 million in operating income and AED 100.5 million in investment returns and other income.
Net profit before tax stood at AED 134.9 million, compared to AED 95.6 million in Q1 2024. Total expenses excluding tax were AED 51.6 million, versus AED 52.5 million in the prior-year period.
Commenting on the DFM's performance, Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said: 'DFM has maintained strong performance and high investor confidence, as reflected in record trading activity levels, despite evolving global market conditions. Our resilient and dynamic market environment continues to strengthen Dubai's position as a leading global financial hub. We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency, innovation, and creating sustainable opportunities for our stakeholders.'
Building on the positive momentum of 2024, DFM achieved its highest Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV) in more than a decade at AED 663 million, a 67% increase compared to AED 398 million in Q1 2024. This was driven by robust trading volumes and strong capital inflows, despite global uncertainties impacting investor sentiment.
Meanwhile, the total market capitalization of DFM-listed companies stood at AED 897 billion at the end of March 2025, representing a slight decline of 1% compared to year-end 2024.
Average daily trades rose by 33% year-on-year to 13,400 trades per day, underlining growing liquidity and active investor engagement.
Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said: "DFM's record trading performance in the first quarter of 2025 is a clear reflection of the strength and growing depth of our market. Sustained trading activity, strong capital inflows, and increased participation from institutional and international investors demonstrate the continued trust in DFM and in Dubai's vision as a global financial hub. As we move forward, we remain focused on building on this momentum, further enhancing liquidity, and creating value for all market participants'.
Investor interest remained strong, with DFM attracting 19,366 new investors during Q1 2025, 86% of whom were foreign nationals. Foreign investors contributed 53% of total trading value, with foreign ownership of market capitalization remaining steady at 21%.
Institutional investors continued to show increased confidence, accounting for 72% of total trading value, up from 65% in the same period last year, reinforcing DFM's growing appeal to a diversified global investor base.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Farnek achieves new business growth worth over AED 10 million in UAE hospitality sector
Farnek achieves new business growth worth over AED 10 million in UAE hospitality sector

Tourism Breaking News

timean hour ago

  • Tourism Breaking News

Farnek achieves new business growth worth over AED 10 million in UAE hospitality sector

Post Views: 41 Farnek has witnessed significant new business acquisitions from the UAE's hospitality sector, valued at over AED 10 million so far during 2025. To service these contracts, 330 additional members of staff have been mobilised to sites across the UAE, bringing their total headcount now to over 10,000. This new business growth follows an outstanding year in 2024 when Farnek secured new and retained hospitality contracts valued at AED 72 million mobilising 450 staff. Farnek is a familiar service provider to most hospitality professionals in the UAE. Besides operational support, it is the preferred partner for Green Globe Certification, a premier worldwide sustainability certification developed especially for the travel and tourism industry. Farnek audits and assesses properties which have to comply with or exceed more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators. Farnek has certified over 100 hotels and leisure facilities in 38 cities across the MENA region, enabling members to save in excess of 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million and more than two million cubic metres of water valued at approximately $5 services to be provided include housekeeping staff, room attendants, public area attendants, technical staff, and stewards, who are all fully qualified and have been highly trained at Farnek's dedicated in-house training facility prior to deployment. According to Tamer Bishay, Director of Business Development at Farnek, the volume of contract wins underscores Farnek's strategic approach to business development, which is renowned for its innovative smart solutions, sustainability and value-driven FM market proposition. 'This is an exceptional performance, given we are not even halfway through the year. We have focused our efforts on the UAE's hospitality sector, given its rapid expansion and the integral role it plays in the UAE's economy. We have managed to increase our market share in this vertical sector considerably over the past months, and this bodes well for the second half of the year. 'Although the UAE hospitality sector is expanding at pace, competition is intense and hotels, residences, resorts and restaurants are always looking at ways to make their operations more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective without compromising on quality. Our fully trained, experienced and qualified staff can fulfil a variety of roles within the hospitality sector seamlessly.' Overall, Farnek has signed multiple new contracts with premier hospitality brands, including Kempinski, Sofitel, JW Marriott, Millennium, Emaar, Grand Hyatt, and Atlantis Dubai. In addition, just last year, HITEK AI, Farnek's sister company, launched its Housekeeping Plus solution, a smart mobile application which provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for the hospitality sector. The app, designed specifically for hotels and resorts, streamlines housekeeping operations and automates workflow.

WPP CEO Mark Read to step down after 30 years with the company
WPP CEO Mark Read to step down after 30 years with the company

Campaign ME

time2 hours ago

  • Campaign ME

WPP CEO Mark Read to step down after 30 years with the company

The Board of NYSE-listed global advertising agency WPP has revealed the Chief Executive Officer Mark Read, will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025 after more than 30 years with the company, which includes seven years as the CEO. Read has decided that the time is right for him to hand over to a new leader and the search for a successor is underway. Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, said, 'On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mark for his contributions not only as CEO but throughout his more than 30 years of leadership and service to the Company. During that time Mark has played a central role in transforming the Company into a world leader in modern marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent, setting WPP up well for longer-term success.' Jansen added, 'We are pleased that Mark will continue to lead WPP as CEO until the end of the year, remaining focused on the execution of the Company's growth strategy and supporting a smooth transition to his successor, once appointed.' As the CEO, Mark Read led the company, which employs more than 100,000 talents and creatives, servicing clients and partners around the world. Commenting on his decision to retire, Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said, 'It has been an immense privilege to serve as its CEO for the past seven years. When I took on this role our mission was to build a simpler, stronger business, and put structure and new energy behind our creativity and performance, powered by world-leading technology. I am proud that our teams across the business have delivered that exceptionally well. Our clients today rate us more highly than ever before, we now work with four of the world's five most valuable companies, and our revenues with our biggest clients have grown consistently.' Read added, 'Our business starts with creativity, and I was delighted for our teams that last year we were once again named Creative Company of the Year at Cannes Lions. We have also positioned WPP at the forefront of the industry with our investments in AI and, with the full launch of WPP Open this year, we are now leading the way as AI transforms marketing. We have an exceptional leadership team and a secure financial position that allows us to face the future confidently and capture the opportunities ahead.' 'After seven years in the role, and with the foundations in place for WPP's continued success, I feel it is the right time to hand over the leadership of this amazing company. I am excited to explore the next chapter in my life and can only thank all the brilliant people I have been lucky enough to work with over the last 30 years, and who have made possible the enormous progress we have achieved together. I would also like to thank Phil and the rest of the Board for their steadfast support for me and the wider executive team, and I look forward to supporting them in the transition to my successor in the coming months,' he concluded.

Hang Seng Surges Amid US-China Trade Optimism While Bitcoin Faces Pressure
Hang Seng Surges Amid US-China Trade Optimism While Bitcoin Faces Pressure

Arabian Post

time2 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

Hang Seng Surges Amid US-China Trade Optimism While Bitcoin Faces Pressure

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed past the 24,000 mark, reaching heights unseen since March, fuelled by renewed optimism surrounding US-China trade discussions. Investor sentiment improved as market participants weighed the possibility of easing tensions between the two largest economies, sparking a notable rally in Hong Kong's benchmark index. However, this upbeat mood contrasted sharply with the performance of Bitcoin, which struggled amid uncertainties over inflation dynamics and broader market volatility. The Hang Seng's advance reflected a growing belief that US and Chinese officials are making progress toward resolving key trade disputes. Early talks aimed at addressing tariffs, technology restrictions, and investment barriers have led investors to anticipate a thawing in one of the most consequential economic standoffs globally. The improving trade dialogue appears to be encouraging capital inflows into Hong Kong-listed shares, particularly in sectors sensitive to cross-border trade such as technology, manufacturing, and finance. Market experts highlight that investor focus remains fixed on the trajectory of these negotiations, with any breakthroughs potentially unlocking significant value in the region's equities. The rally also aligns with a more cautious but hopeful stance among traders that a prolonged trade conflict could ease, bolstering global economic growth prospects. Notably, blue-chip stocks led the gains, signalling confidence among institutional investors betting on recovery and expansion in the Asia-Pacific markets. Conversely, Bitcoin's performance diverged, as the leading cryptocurrency grappled with pressure from both macroeconomic and regulatory fronts. The digital asset has faced downward momentum partly due to investor apprehensions over persistent inflationary pressures in the United States. Inflation data remains a key focal point, as higher consumer prices could prompt the Federal Reserve to sustain or accelerate interest rate hikes, tightening liquidity conditions and dampening risk appetite in speculative assets. ADVERTISEMENT Bitcoin's volatility has also been compounded by shifting regulatory attitudes worldwide. Authorities in various jurisdictions are intensifying scrutiny of digital currencies, citing concerns over money laundering, market manipulation, and financial stability risks. Such regulatory tightening has contributed to a cautious investor approach, limiting Bitcoin's ability to capitalize on broader risk-on sentiment seen in equities. Analysts note that while Bitcoin has often been viewed as a potential inflation hedge, its correlation with traditional risk assets has increased, causing it to react sensitively to shifts in monetary policy and global economic uncertainty. This evolving dynamic challenges the narrative of cryptocurrencies as safe havens, complicating portfolio strategies for institutional and retail investors alike. The Hang Seng's rally has benefited from strong performances in technology companies listed in Hong Kong. Giants in the semiconductor and telecommunications sectors saw their share prices rise amid speculation that easing trade tensions could reduce supply chain disruptions and promote cross-border business activities. Additionally, financial stocks gained momentum as optimism grew about improving economic fundamentals and potential credit growth in the region. Meanwhile, traders are closely monitoring upcoming US inflation reports, which could significantly influence market direction. Persistent inflation could lead the Federal Reserve to maintain a hawkish stance, thereby exerting downward pressure on risk assets including equities and cryptocurrencies. Conversely, signs of easing inflation could provide further impetus for market rallies and reduce volatility. Hong Kong's role as a financial gateway between China and the global economy continues to underpin investor confidence. The city's markets are seen as a barometer for broader regional economic health, and the Hang Seng's rise signals expectations that cross-border trade and investment flows will stabilise or improve amid diplomatic progress. This optimism is tempered by awareness of ongoing geopolitical risks, including Taiwan tensions and global supply chain uncertainties. Bitcoin's challenges underscore the growing complexity of the global investment landscape, where traditional and emerging asset classes are influenced by an intertwined set of economic, regulatory, and geopolitical factors. While the cryptocurrency market remains dynamic, its path forward appears increasingly contingent on external economic conditions rather than solely on technological or adoption milestones.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store