
ADX index up by more than 1%
24 Apr 2025 20:45
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) continued its surge on Thursday with its general index (FADGI) rising by 1.081% to reach 9,424.93. A positive atmosphere returned to stock markets amid renewed hopes of a trade agreement between the US and China.A total of 33,427 trades were recorded, involving 623 million shares with a combined value of Dh1.959 billion. The total market capitalisation of all companies listed on the ADX reached Dh2.904 trillion.The ADX rally was led by gains made by premium stocks — Multiply (7.36%), Aldar (2.82%) and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADCB) (2.90%). ADCB reported stellar first-quarter results on Wednesday. The other top gainers in the ADX include Gulf Pharmaceutical (+14.40%), Burjeel Holding (+9.72%) and Abu Dhabi Company for Building Materials (4.57%), while notable losers were Emirates Insurance (-9.87%), Aram Group (-6.25%) and E7 Warrants (-6.09%).DFMDFM's general index (DFMGI) was down by 0.183% to reach 5195.82 points. The DFM ended a five-session winning streak, impacted by a 0.8% fall in property giant Emaar Properties. A total of 13,840 trades were executed at the DFM, involving 251 million shares with a combined value of Dh626 million. The prices of 16 companies rose, while 26 declined, and 10 remained unchanged. Among the top gainers were National Industries Group (+9.00%), National General Insurance (+7.97%) and Al Mal Captial REIT (+7.21%). The most notable losers included Dubai Islamic Insurance (-7.65%), Mazaya Holding (-4.76%), ENBD REIT (-4.37%) and Al Salam Bank (-3.03%).
Dubai Islamic Bank, a DFM-listed bank, reported a Dh2.1 billion pre-tax profit, reflecting a 14% year-on-year increase, driven primarily by growth in quality earning assets. Robust deposit mobilisation led to a 3% expansion of the balance sheet to Dh355 billion.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE is pressing ahead with a slate of infrastructure projects
Staff Reporter, Gulf Today UAE's authorities are fast-tracking enhancements to the country's transport network, signaling an open window for investors seeking early exposure to the next wave of growth Dubai: While the summer season is usually a quieter period for financial markets due to widespread investor holidays, global sentiment remains overshadowed by persistent geopolitical tensions this summer. Escalating concerns over US tariff measures and the intensifying Israel–Iran conflict have cast a pall over risk appetite, driving cautious investor positioning and heightened market volatility. Yet, against this backdrop of global unease, the United Arab Emirates is pressing ahead with an ambitious slate of infrastructure projects, using the relative calm of the summer months to accelerate key developments. With lighter traffic during the holiday stretch, authorities are fast-tracking enhancements to the country's transport network, signaling an open window for investors seeking early exposure to the next wave of growth. Major infrastructure initiatives are underway to strengthen both east–west and north–south connectivity across the emirates through new roads and metro extensions. In Dubai, upgrades to Hessa Street and the expansion of the Metro network with the Blue Line are pivotal undertakings aimed at easing congestion and linking emerging residential and commercial hubs. Meanwhile, the landmark Etihad Rail project is progressing steadily, ultimately set to integrate all seven emirates with a modern rail link, opening new avenues for investment in real estate and infrastructure equity. Adding to the skyline's evolution, Dubai Creek Harbour is constructing what is projected to become the tallest tower in the world, surpassing the iconic Burj Khalifa. In tandem, Dubai South continues to evolve as the city's future primary aviation center with the forthcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, cementing the UAE's role as a regional transport and logistics powerhouse. 'These transformative projects are expected to cut travel times by more than 75%' said Razan Hilal, Market Analyst, CMT at adding 'they will boost connectivity across burgeoning districts, laying the groundwork for robust property market performance, economic diversification, and sustainable urban planning for decades to come.' Several publicly listed companies like DEWA, Union Properties, Tabreed, and Salik stand to benefit directly from this wave of development, each playing a strategic role in energy, cooling, real estate, and road toll management respectively. However, despite this local momentum, the MSCI UAE Index has shed over 7% this month, reflecting broader concerns over dollar weakness and geopolitical turmoil. Leading developers such as Emaar Properties (DFM: EMAAR) have seen share price corrections of around 5%, underscoring the cautious tone prevailing among regional investors. 'While short-term volatility persists due to external shocks, the UAE's commitment to long-term national development plans - Vision 2025, 2030, and 2040 - suggests that current market dips may present strategic entry points for long-term investors', observes Hilal. She adds: 'Amid this climate, portfolio diversification remains prudent. Commodities like oil continue to serve as a hedge against supply disruptions in the region, while gold and silver retain their appeal as safe-haven assets, particularly relevant as industrial demand for silver expands in the technology sector. Overall, while global headwinds pose challenges, the UAE's clear focus on future-ready infrastructure and urban resilience reinforces its appeal as a steady beacon of opportunity for investors looking beyond short-term volatility. StoneX Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high touch service and deep expertise. The company strives to be the one trusted partner to its clients, providing its network, product and services to allow them to pursue trading opportunities, manage their market risks, make investments and improve their business performance. A Fortune 100 company with a nearly 100-year track record, StoneX Group Inc. serves more than 50,000 commercial, institutional and payments clients, and more than 370,000 retail accounts, from nearly 80 offices across six continents.


Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Google contributed Dh21.8 billion to UAE economy in 2024, says study
21 June 2025 12:16 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Google's products and services contributed Dh21.8 billion to the UAE economy in 2024, according to a new study by Public First, a research economic impact, which amounts to over 1% of the UAE's GDP, underlines the growing role of digital platforms in shaping the country's non-oil to the latest official data, the UAE's GDP in 2024 stood at Dh1.776 trillion, with non-oil GDP accounting for Dh1.342 trillion. The study found that the contribution from Google's ecosystem — including Search, YouTube, Play Store, Cloud and Ads — flowed to businesses, developers, publishers, creators, and non-profits across the study found that 91% of UAE businesses have already integrated at least one AI tool into their workflows, and 87% of businesses view AI as a key economic opportunity. In terms of individual use, 78% of UAE adults reported using AI tools, with 30% using them 'regularly'. This is more than double the figure reported in the United States, where just 13% of adults say they use AI chatbots regularly.'This early embrace of technology reflects the UAE's strong digital infrastructure, pro-innovation policy environment, and a population that recognises AI as a powerful tool for progress,' the report noted. The UAE's national AI strategy is credited with helping position the country as a 'leading AI destination'.The research estimates that Google's products created Dh20 billion in consumer benefits in 2024, the equivalent of Dh683 per month per user. Much of this was driven by time saved, easier access to information, and tools that improve daily life.A remarkable 63% of adults in the UAE said they had used Gemini, Google's generative AI assistant, while 38% reported daily usage. Among them, 90% said Gemini made them more productive, and 71% found it easier to use in Arabic compared to other and Ads alone contributed Dh20.2 billion in business activity in 2024. Of this, Dh3.6 billion was generated by small and medium businesses (SMBs), with Dh394 million worth of goods and services exported using Google's tools. UAE businesses overall exported Dh2.2 billion globally using the same and the Play Store are also part of the value chain. In 2024, they generated Dh455 million in revenue for UAE-based developers and supported Dh418 million in exports. The wider app economy enabled the creation of 30,000 jobs in the country, contributing to the UAE's broader ambition of building a knowledge-based First's research also highlights the impact of upskilling initiatives. Since 2018, Google's Maharat Min Google programme has trained more than 430,000 individuals in the UAE in digital and professional skills. This training support is seen as essential in closing the AI readiness gap: 52% of adults acknowledged they are not currently using AI tools to their full potential, and 95% expressed interest in joining a Google-led skills report noted that 97% of public sector workers in the UAE believe AI-enabled tools from Google make them more productive, and 65% say their job would be harder without young adults aged 18 to 24, the reliance on Google tools is even stronger. Nearly three-quarters of Gemini users in this age group use it for 81% of Google Search users in the same demographic said their education would have been more difficult without it, while 62% said YouTube helped them learn new Maps and Waze also emerged as essential tools for UAE residents. The study found that 89% of adults found these apps useful to avoid getting lost, and 91% said they helped identify the fastest routes. Around 80% use the apps monthly to locate local businesses, and 86% rely on Google reviews before visiting a venue or shopping trends were also highlighted. Ninety-four percent of adults use Google Search at least once a month to compare prices, and 73% of 18–24-year-olds use it weekly for browsing and shopping study also projected the long-term economic potential of cybersecurity and AI. Enhanced cybersecurity capabilities — underpinned by platforms like Google Cloud — could help the UAE avoid at least $6.8 billion in cybercrime losses, create over 20,000 jobs, and attract up to $1.4 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment by the startup front, participants in the Google for Startups Accelerator in MENA have raised over Dh3.43 billion, with Dh337 million raised in the UAE alone. These startups have created more than 1,300 jobs regionally and are scaling across the Middle First estimates that AI tools could help increase productivity across the UAE by 15%, which is equivalent to freeing up 310 hours per worker per year for higher-value tasks. Google commissioned Public First to examine how its innovations and products are supporting UAE communities, workers and businesses, as well as the future potential of AI in the country. Public First conducted two surveys — one of 1,110 online adults and another of 389 business leaders, in both English and Arabic — in March 2025. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi


Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
Taaleem signs deal to acquire 95% stake in Kids First Group
19 June 2025 09:38 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Taaleem Holdings, a leading K–12 premium education provider in the UAE and a Dubai Financial Market-listed company, has signed a deal to acquire a 95% stake in Kids First Group Limited (KFG), a prominent early-years education network operating across the a stock market disclosure on Thursday, Taaleem said the acquisition will be funded through a mix of equity and debt and is expected to close by the fourth quarter of its 2024/25 financial year, subject to regulatory approvals. The cost of the transaction was not disclosed in the statement. 'This strategic move reinforces our defensive positioning and our commitment to scalable, high-quality education in the region,' said Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Taaleem, in the operates over 30 premium nurseries in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha under well-known brands such as Redwood Montessori Nursery, Odyssey Nursery, Willow Children's Nursery, Ladybird Nursery, and Children's Oasis Nursery. The group serves over 5,000 students and employs more than 1,000 said the acquisition allows it to strategically expand into the rapidly growing early learning education sector, complementing its existing portfolio of 32 schools — which includes 10 premium private schools and 22 government-partnership institutions. Its premium schools span international curricula: five IB schools, four British curriculum schools, and one American curriculum to the company, KFG's scalable model and profitability will immediately enhance Taaleem's earnings and cash flow. Post-acquisition, KFG will operate as a standalone vertical within the Taaleem group, with its founder — who retains a 5% stake — continuing as CEO alongside the existing management which was listed on DFM in November 2022, currently has a market capitalisation of Dh3.6 billion. It is indirectly owned by the Government of Dubai, with National Bonds and Knowledge Fund holding stakes of 22.5% and 13.7% respectively. The company said it would hold a dedicated virtual investor call to provide further details on the transaction.