Market Value Climbs as Trading Activity Accelerates
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) said its market capitalisation reached AED 2.8 trillion, equivalent to $762.4 billion, at the end of June, supported by total trading value of AED 171 billion in the first half of 2026. Total traded volume rose 3.7 percent year on year to 50.3 billion shares, while average daily trading volume climbed 9 percent to 423 million shares, with roughly 3.3 million transactions executed, a 12 percent annual increase.
Exchange officials said the figures reflect sustained momentum in the market despite broader global economic uncertainty, with institutional participation remaining a defining feature of trading activity. Institutions accounted for 78 percent of total trading value during the period, underscoring the market's continued appeal to large-scale investors.
Foreign Investors Drive New Participation
ADX attracted 30,000 new investors in the first half of 2026, up 7.1 percent year on year, with foreign investors making up 77 percent of all newly registered investors during the period. The exchange said the growth in international participation points to rising confidence in the UAE's capital markets and Abu Dhabi's positioning as a regional financial hub.
The exchange now hosts 24 exchange-traded funds, with their combined market value surging 1,459 percent year on year to 24.3 billion dirhams in the first half of 2026, reflecting rapid growth in demand for diversified investment products. Exchange officials said they expect continued expansion of the ETF segment as more investors seek exposure to broader market indices through the platform.
