DFM H1 2026 Results: AED 443.2 Million Profit as Trading Surges 40.4%
AED 443.2 million is the headline figure. But the bigger story is the amount of money that moved through the market.
Investors traded AED 119.5 billion on Dubai Financial Market during the first half of 2026. That was 40.4% more than a year earlier.
The official DFM H1 2026 financial results show lower reported profit, but much stronger trading activity, liquidity and investor participation. The results were announced on 30 July 2026 for the six months ended 30 June 2026.
What Are DFM’s H1 2026 Financial Results?
DFM reported AED 443.2 million in net profit before tax for H1 2026. Total consolidated revenue reached AED 557 million. Expenses excluding tax stood at AED 113.8 million. Revenue and profit were lower than in H1 2025, mainly because the earlier period included significant one-off income. Expenses increased slightly from AED 111.8 million.
Revenue included:
- AED 384.8 million in operating income
- AED 172.2 million from investment returns and other income
The breakdown matters. It helps investors separate normal operating income from investment-related earnings. It also shows why clear financial reporting and IFRS support is important.
How Did DFM Post AED 443.2 Million in Profit Despite Lower Revenue?
The fall in reported revenue and profit mainly relates to the comparison period. H1 2025 included AED 462.2 million from the sale of an investment property. This was a one-time gain. Without it, DFM’s underlying H1 2026 performance appears stronger.
| Metric | H1 2026 | H1 2025 | Q2 2026 | Q2 2025 |
| Total consolidated revenue | AED 557m | AED 888.9m | AED 303.9m | AED 702.5m |
| Net profit before tax | AED 443.2m | AED 777.1m | AED 249.9m | AED 642.2m |
| Expenses excluding tax | AED 113.8m | AED 111.8m | Not stated | Not stated |
The one-off property-sale income increased both revenue and profit in H1 2025. The reported year-on-year decline therefore does not provide a direct like-for-like comparison of DFM’s recurring performance.
The lower DFM net profit 2026 comparison therefore does not mean the exchange’s main operations weakened.
What Is Driving DFM’s 40.4% Jump in Trading Activity?
More money was traded. Investors also completed more transactions each day. Total Dubai Financial Market trading activity reached AED 119.5 billion, compared with AED 85.1 billion in H1 2025. This happened despite the market having fewer trading days.
Average daily traded value increased by 45.1% to AED 1.004 billion.
That was around 45% above the AED 692 million average recorded for full-year 2025. The 2025 figure was already DFM’s highest liquidity level in more than a decade.
Total trades rose by 31% to 2.23 million. Average daily trades increased by 35.4% to around 18,759.
DFM recorded this activity over 119 trading days, compared with 123 days in H1 2025. More trading took place in less time.
For listed companies, higher trading volumes can provide more market data for valuation analysis.
Who Is Trading on DFM?
DFM added 42,864 new investors during H1 2026. International investors represented 71.4% of new registrations. However, institutional investors still accounted for most of the value traded on the exchange.
| Investor measure | H1 2026 | H1 2025 |
| Institutional share of traded value | 71.2% | 70.8% |
| Foreign share of trading activity | 51% | — |
| Foreign ownership of market value | 20.06% | 20.04% |
| Institutional ownership | 86.5% | — |
The DFM investor participation data tells two stories:
- New registrations show wider international interest.
- The trading figures show that institutions still provide most of the market’s liquidity.
DFM H1 2026 vs H1 2025: Key Numbers at a Glance
The comparison shows a clear difference between profitability, liquidity and valuation. Reported profit fell because of the one-time 2025 gain. Trading activity increased sharply. However, total market value ended slightly lower.
| Metric | H1 2026 | H1 2025 |
| Revenue | AED 557 million | AED 888.9 million |
| Profit before tax | AED 443.2 million | AED 777.1 million |
| Expenses excluding tax | AED 113.8 million | AED 111.8 million |
| Total traded value | AED 119.5 billion | AED 85.1 billion |
| Average daily traded value | AED 1.004 billion | AED 692 million |
| Trading days | 119 | 123 |
| Market capitalisation | AED 981.6 billion | AED 995.6 billion |
| DFM General Index close | 5,955.58 points | Not stated |
DFM market capitalization declined by 1.4% year on year.
This means investors traded more often, even though the combined value of listed companies ended the period slightly lower.
What Does This Mean for Dubai’s Capital Markets?
The results suggest that DFM is becoming a deeper and more internationally connected market, not simply a busier one.
DFM Chairman Helal Saeed Al Marri linked the performance to sustained investor engagement, Dubai’s economic fundamentals and continued international interest. Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, highlighted sustained liquidity, a diverse investor mix and confidence in the efficiency of DFM’s market infrastructure. He also said DFM would continue to strengthen its infrastructure and widen investment opportunities.
These factors matter because the strength of a capital market is not measured only by market capitalisation or index movements. Liquidity, investor diversity and the ability to attract long-term capital are equally important.
DFM’s H1 2026 performance therefore supports the direction of the official Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The agenda aims to double Dubai’s economy over ten years and strengthen the city’s position as a leading global business and financial centre
ADEPTS’ Perspective: Why This Matters for UAE Businesses and Investors
The rise in institutional and foreign investment is a positive sign for Dubai’s capital markets. It also raises the level of information expected from companies seeking investment, preparing for an IPO or entering a major transaction.
Investors usually look closely at financial statements, valuation assumptions and the documents supporting significant transactions. Weak reporting or incomplete records can delay a deal and reduce confidence.
Businesses planning to raise capital should therefore review their audit readiness, financial reporting and valuation approach at an early stage. Financial due diligence can also help identify issues before they are raised by investors, lenders or regulators.
ADEPTS supports UAE businesses through deal advisory, M&A support, business valuation services and CFO services. As DIFC-approved auditor, the firm helps businesses improve the quality of their financial information and prepare for investment or transaction review.
Conclusion
DFM’s H1 2026 results present a clear picture.
Reported profit before tax was lower mainly because H1 2025 included one-off income from the sale of an investment property. At the same time, traded value, transaction volumes and average daily activity increased strongly.
Foreign and institutional investors continued to play a major role in DFM’s liquidity. New international registrations also show that the market is attracting a wider investor base.
The second half of 2026 will show whether this momentum can be maintained. If it continues, DFM will be well placed to support Dubai’s wider capital-market ambitions under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
For businesses seeking investment, preparing for an IPO or entering a major transaction, stronger financial reporting, reliable valuations and complete transaction records will remain essential. ADEPTS supports companies in preparing for these requirements as the UAE capital market continues to develop.
References
- Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/finance-and-economy/dubai-economic-agenda-d33. - Market, Dubai Financial. “Market Announcement: Press Release – DFM Net Profit Before Tax Amounted to AED 443.2 Million as Trading Activity Increases 40.4% in H1 2026 – DFM.” Dubai Financial Market,
https://www.dfm.ae/the-exchange/news-disclosures/market-announcements/d045eb0f-6049-43eb-8ab9-13b925616793. - Report, Gulf News. “Dubai Financial Market Posts Dh443 Million Profit in H1, 2026.” Gulf News: Latest UAE News, Dubai News, Business, Travel News, Dubai Gold Rate, Prayer Time, Cinema, 30 July 2026,
https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/dubai-financial-market-posts-dh443-million-profit-in-h1-1.500625862.
