UAE Stock Markets: Dubai Index Falls, Abu Dhabi Slightly Down – Latest Updates
- UAE stock markets experienced a downturn on Monday, February 16, 2026, mirroring a global sell-off triggered by new US tariffs and broader market weakness.
- The ADX General Index (FADGI) closed at 10,623.48, a decrease of 0.12%.
- Trading volumes on the ADX were significant, with 21,557 trades involving 302 million shares, valued at Dh996 million.
UAE stock markets experienced a downturn on , mirroring a global sell-off triggered by new US tariffs and broader market weakness. Both the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) saw declines, though trading activity remained relatively robust.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai Markets Decline
The ADX General Index (FADGI) closed at 10,623.48, a decrease of 0.12%. The DFM closed at 6,702.03, down 0.42%. These declines follow a period of positive gains for UAE stock markets in recent weeks, suggesting a correction as investors adopt a more cautious stance.
Trading volumes on the ADX were significant, with 21,557 trades involving 302 million shares, valued at Dh996 million. The total market capitalization of ADX-listed stocks stood at Dh3.215 trillion.
Sector Performance and Key Stocks
Within the ADX, Aldar Properties PJSC showed resilience, rising 1.24%, while Alpha Dhabi gained 2.49%. However, 2PointZero Group experienced a decline of 3.18%. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution (ADNOC Distribution) saw a modest increase of 0.24%, closing at 4.10. Abu Dhabi Aviation also edged up, gaining 0.18% to close at 5.74.
Etisalat e& experienced a slight decrease of 0.19%, closing at 20.86. First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC saw a more substantial decline of 0.60%, finishing at 20.04. Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) fell 0.91% to 10.90, and Emaar Properties PJSC decreased 1.21% to 16.30. Emirates NBD bucked the trend, rising 2.80% to 36.75.
Regional and Global Context
The declines in the UAE markets are part of a broader regional trend, as highlighted by reports of a sell-off extending across the Gulf region. This is directly linked to the introduction of new US tariffs and a general downturn in global markets. The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) also experienced a decline, falling 0.40% to close at 11,183.85.
The Egyptian Stock Exchange saw a more significant drop, falling 1.51% to 62,161.62. This suggests that emerging markets are particularly vulnerable to the current global economic headwinds.
Commodity Markets and Oil Prices
Brent Crude oil prices saw a slight increase, rising 1.18% to 73.04. However, this increase did not appear to significantly bolster market sentiment in the UAE. Gold prices, conversely, fell 0.95% to 4,994.24.
Recent Market Trends and Outlook
Prior to decline, UAE stock markets had been on a positive trajectory. On , the ADX General Index edged up 0.322% to close at 10,688.55. Over the preceding week, UAE stocks had collectively gained 27.3 billion dirhams, indicating a period of strong investor confidence. However, the current market correction suggests that investors are now factoring in increased uncertainty related to US-Iran talks and the impact of new US tariffs.
The Nasdaq 100 index showed a slight gain of 0.18%, closing at 24,732.73, offering a contrasting picture to the declines seen in the UAE and other regional markets. This divergence highlights the varying levels of risk appetite and economic sensitivity across different global markets.
The market’s reaction to upcoming US inflation data will be closely watched. The current slip in UAE markets ahead of this data release suggests that investors are bracing for potentially unfavorable economic news. The interplay between global macroeconomic factors, geopolitical events, and regional economic conditions will continue to shape the performance of UAE stock markets in the coming weeks.