Overview:

Abu Dhabi and Dubai stock exchanges closed July with broad-based gains driven by blue-chip stocks, recording combined trading volumes exceeding 35 billion dirhams. Abu Dhabi banking sector profits rose 11 percent to 21.25 billion dirhams in the first half of 2026. Real estate transactions in Dubai reached 321 billion dirhams across nearly 100,000 deals in the year's first seven months, signaling sustained property market momentum across the emirate.

Details:

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange gained 0.36 percent to 9,914.62 points, while the Dubai Financial Market advanced 0.07 percent to 5,795.93 points, with upward momentum concentrated in leading equity positions. Regional banking institutions demonstrated financial resilience as Abu Dhabi's major lenders reported combined first-half net profits of 21.25 billion dirhams, compared with 19.5 billion dirhams in the corresponding 2025 period. Capital Intelligence reaffirmed Ras Al Khaimah National Bank's credit ratings at A grade with stable outlook, reflecting institutional financial strength.

In corporate transactions, the Emirates Telecommunications Group completed the sale of a 12.5 percent stake in ride-sharing platform Careem Technologies to Uber Technologies for 100 million dollars, reducing its holding in the company to approximately 37.5 percent. Meanwhile, Global Foundries, backed by Mubadala Investment Company, secured 300 million dollars in funding from the United States government to advance semiconductor manufacturing technologies. The national real estate sector maintained momentum as Dubai property sales totaled 321 billion dirhams from January through July, reflecting sustained domestic and international buyer interest in residential and commercial assets.

Outlook:

Investors are monitoring whether Abu Dhabi and Dubai can sustain trading volumes and profit growth momentum amid global monetary policy uncertainty, particularly following recent statements from United States Federal Reserve officials supporting interest rate increases to contain inflation. Market observers are tracking the trajectory of major infrastructure projects, including the anticipated Abu Dhabi Disneyland development, as potential catalysts for tourism and real estate sector expansion across the Gulf region.