Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has delivered impressive results so far this year, with notable gains in trading activity, foreign investment, and overall market capitalization. Its sustained growth in recent years underscores ADX’s status as a leading financial hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and an increasingly influential player globally, driven by Abu Dhabi’s robust economic performance, strategic government policies, and rising investor confidence.
Since 2020, ADX has outpaced the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, with its General Index climbing 86% over five years*. Globally, it ranks seventh among emerging market exchanges by market capitalization, underscoring its importance as a key capital markets hub in the Middle East. This performance has benefited the Chimera FTSE ADX15 ETF, which is listed on ADX.
Surge in Trading Activity & Foreign Investment
In the first half of 2025, trading momentum remained robust, with total trading value up 33.5% year-on-year to around AED 179.5 billion and average daily trading value rising 31.4% year-on-year to about AED 1.45 billion.
Foreign net investment rocketed 99.5% year over year to over AED 13.6 billion ($3.7 billion) in H1 2025*, highlighting growing international interest in ADX-listed companies. Also, foreign investors purchased AED 81.3 billion worth of shares in the first half of the year, accounting for 45% of total market activity, up 61% year-on-year.
The exchange credited its strong performance to favourable market conditions, higher trading volumes, and investor demand for top UAE equities. The growth in activity and foreign investment reflects ADX’s continued focus on enhancing market access, expanding product offerings, and boosting liquidity.
Market capitalization reached AED 3.09 trillion by June 30, 2025, up 3.1% since the start of the year. The key sectors driving ADX activity were energy (ADNOC listings boosting turnover and institutional interest), real estate (Aldar and property stocks benefiting from Abu Dhabi transactions), banking/financials (FAB and smaller banks adding trading depth), and consumer/retail (Lulu and retail groups attracting regional and retail investors).
As of September 2025, ADX has posted a year-to-date gain of around 7.3%, reflecting steady market growth despite regional volatility, aided by strong earnings from key listed companies and growing foreign investment.
ETF Performance
As of September 2025, the ADX had a selection of 16 Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), giving investors exposure to multiple asset classes and global markets.
Of these, the Chimera FTSE ADX 15 ETF offers investors exposure to the 15 largest and most actively traded companies on the ADX. Its top holdings include International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates Telecommunications Group (Etisalat), Alpha Dhabi Holding, and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), reflecting a focus on key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and energy. Year-to-date, the fund delivered a return of around 14.46%.
As per year-to-date return, the top five gainers were:
- Chimera S&P China HK Shariah ETF: +41.43%
- Chimera S&P Pakistan UCITS ETF: +38.05%
- Chimera S&P Germany UCITS ETF: +36.72%
- Chimera S&P Kuwait Shariah ETF: +27.63%
- Chimera S&P Japan UCITS ETF: +23.19%
The top losers were:
- Chimera S&P India Shariah ETF: -4.58%
- Chimera S&P KSA Shariah ETF: -2.70%
Recent Notable Developments
- Lunate Capital launched the Boreas Solactive Quantum Computing UCITS ETF (Ticker: QUANTM) on the ADX on September 22, 2025, marking the first thematic quantum computing ETF listed in Abu Dhabi.
- In September 2025, ADX penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) to strengthen collaboration and advance shared goals between the UAE and Hong Kong capital markets.
- In July 2025, ADX initiated the pricing phase for the region’s first DLT-based bond, issued by FAB via HSBC Orion.
Looking Ahead
The ADX is positioned for continued growth. The introduction of new financial products, a greater number of foreign listings, and strategic collaborations are expected to boost market liquidity and encourage wider investor participation. Furthermore, the UAE’s ongoing economic diversification and regulatory reforms are likely to draw in more international investors, strengthening the ADX’s standing as a leading exchange in the MENA region.
According to the central bank, the UAE economy is projected to expand by 4.9% in 2025, revised upward from a previous estimate of 4.4%. This expansion will be driven by higher oil output and robust growth in non-oil sectors. The hydrocarbon industry is expected to grow 5.8% in 2025 and 6.5% in 2026, supported by increased oil production aligned with OPEC+ agreements.
In summary, 2025 was a landmark year for the ADX, marked by significant growth across all key performance metrics. With sustained investor confidence and a clear strategic vision, the ADX is well-prepared for ongoing success within the global financial system.
*Data sourced from Gulf Business, Emirates News Agency, Arabian Business, Economy Middle East, Aletihad
