Dubai, UAE – The Dubai Financial Market has strengthened its position as an attractive destination for foreign capital and investment institutions.
Supported by the growing strength of the emirate’s economy and the attractiveness of local stocks.
In addition to the positive financial performance achieved by listed companies, which was reflected in their strong business results.
Shares of «Dubai Financial» witnessed activity in purchases by foreigners (non-Arabs) and investment institutions during the past year 2025.
Total purchases amounted to AED 169.41 billion, a growth of 79.4% year-on-year.
Compared to total purchases in 2024, which amounted to approximately AED 94.42 billion.
The data showed that the net investments of foreign (non-Arab) investors and institutions in stocks, during last year’s trading, recorded about 6.04 billion dirhams.
Two financial experts said that institutional investment constitutes a fundamental pillar of the market.
It reduces the impact of individual trades and increases the market’s ability to absorb external shocks.
They explained that the increase in foreign investor investment reflects the success of regulatory reforms that have facilitated market access and made Dubai a preferred destination for investors from diverse backgrounds.
They also pointed out that the significant increase in net foreign investment compared to 2024 sends positive signals for the continued activity of foreign investors during 2026.
foreign investors
Foreign (non-Arab) investors recorded net purchases worth approximately AED 5.79 billion on the Dubai Financial Market during 2025.
As a result of purchases amounting to 72.67 billion dirhams, compared to sales amounting to about 66.87 billion dirhams.
The Dubai Financial Market is expected to witness a greater influx of foreign investments in 2026.
Taking advantage of the strength of the emirate’s economy, the outstanding financial performance of listed companies, in addition to the interest of foreign investors in seizing the opportunities available in the stock market.
Especially with the anticipation of listed companies announcing the strong annual business results expected for the past year 2025.
institutional investment
Institutional investment in the Dubai Financial Market also achieved net purchases worth approximately AED 242.37 million during trading last year, 2025.
After achieving total purchases worth 96.731 billion dirhams, compared to total sales of about 96.489 billion dirhams.
This development reflects the Dubai Financial Market’s efforts to improve its infrastructure through targeted upgrades.
This contributed to enhancing transparency and operational efficiency, and expanding the investor base.
In line with international capital market standards.
In addition to attracting more foreign and institutional investments, and diversifying liquidity between local and foreign.
Strong performance in 2025
The Dubai Financial Market index recorded strong performance during 2025, achieving a growth of 17.22%.
After rising from 5,158.67 points at the end of December 2024 trading, to 6,047.09 points at the end of the last trading session of last year, 2025.
In parallel, the market value of listed shares increased from AED 906.9 billion to approximately AED 992.1 billion, with gains of approximately AED 85.2 billion.
The market also attracted about 86.47 thousand new investment accounts during the same period.
