The companies listed on the Dubai Financial Market have enhanced the appeal of investing in local stocks by announcing generous cash dividends based on their financial results for 2025. This clearly indicates strong financial performance and improved profitability and cash flows.
According to an analysis, the total proposed cash dividends amount to approximately AED 42.45 billion, distributed among 26 listed companies, pending approval from their general assemblies in the upcoming period.
These distributions reflect the robust operational performance of the companies over the past year, supported by economic growth in Dubai and increased demand in key sectors such as banking, real estate, energy, and services. They also demonstrate the financial strength of the companies and their ability to achieve stable cash flows, allowing for the implementation of generous and sustainable distribution policies.
This level of distribution confirms that companies are managing to balance their expansion and growth plans while maximizing shareholder returns, thereby boosting the confidence of both local and foreign investors in the market.
Among the companies, Emaar Properties received the largest share of dividends, totaling AED 8.84 billion, followed by Emirates NBD with AED 6.311 billion, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) with AED 6.2 billion, Emaar Development with AED 4 billion, and du with AED 2.9 billion.
Dubai Islamic Bank is ranked sixth with AED 2.52 billion, Mashreq Bank seventh with AED 2.05 billion, Dubai Commercial Bank in eighth place with AED 1.75 billion, Talabat ninth with AED 1.55 billion, and Air Arabia in tenth place with AED 1.4 billion.
The board of directors of Emaar Properties recommended a 100% cash dividend for shareholders, equivalent to AED 1 per share, amounting to AED 8.84 billion for the year 2025.
The general assembly of Emirates NBD approved a 100% cash dividend for shareholders, which translates to 100 fils per share, totaling AED 6.31 billion for 2025.
The board of DEWA approved an interim cash dividend for shareholders of AED 3.1 billion (6.2 fils per share) for the second half of 2025, bringing the total to AED 6.2 billion (12.4 fils per share) for the year.
Emaar Development’s board also recommended a 100% cash dividend for shareholders at AED 1 per share, totaling AED 4 billion for 2025.
Strong Performance
Vijay Valisha, CEO of investment at Century Financial, stated that the Dubai Financial Market has shown strong performance throughout 2025, with solid profits from listed companies and robust balance sheets driving over AED 42 billion in dividends.
Valisha mentioned that the dividend returns reflect the UAE market’s superiority in terms of distribution rates, attributing the strong performance of the Dubai Financial Market to government policies that have bolstered income diversification. This has led to the flourishing of sectors such as real estate and tourism, an increase in the number of residents, and strong support from utility companies.
Valisha anticipates that this environment will create exciting investment opportunities in a rapidly growing market featuring diverse sectors and structured investment platforms, particularly within the Dubai Financial Market, where golden opportunities still abound.
Positive Outlook
Financial analyst Hussam Al-Husseini noted that dividends are one of the factors attracting investment to companies, especially since these dividends come from various sectors. Al-Husseini expects that corporate profits in local markets will continue to thrive in the future.
It is anticipated that listed companies will maintain stable distribution policies in the coming years, supported by profit growth and improved operational efficiency, which will further solidify the Dubai Financial Market as an attractive investment destination in the region.
The AED 42.45 billion in dividends underscores the strength of listed companies on the Dubai Financial Market and reflects the robustness of the local economy, while generous returns enhance the market’s appeal to investors seeking stability and sustainable income.