“ADX’s strong compliance and profit growth reflect a powerful synergy between governance excellence and sustainable financial performance.”
ADX: High Governance Standards and Robust Financial Performance Reinforce Abu Dhabi’s Position as a Global Investment Hub
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has delivered a strong signal of market transparency and financial resilience, achieving a 98% disclosure compliance rate for audited annual financial statements in 2025, alongside sustained profit growth across listed companies.
This milestone underscores ADX’s commitment to maintaining world-class governance standards, reinforcing investor confidence and strengthening its reputation as one of the world’s leading financial marketplaces. The exchange, ranked among the top 20 globally by market capitalisation, continues to build a trusted and transparent ecosystem that supports long-term economic growth.
According to the latest data, 99 out of 101 listed companies successfully submitted their audited financial results within the legally mandated 90-day disclosure period. The remaining companies were not considered non-compliant due to differing fiscal-year timelines, highlighting the exchange’s overall exceptional level of regulatory adherence.
This high compliance rate has directly strengthened market performance. ADX-listed companies recorded a 17% year-on-year increase in total net profits, exceeding AED 200 billion in 2025. The figures clearly demonstrate a link between strong corporate governance practices and sustained financial success, positioning the exchange as a stable and attractive destination for global investors.
The performance also translated into significant returns for investors, with listed companies distributing nearly AED 74 billion in dividends during the year. This consistent dividend payout highlights the strength of listed firms and reinforces ADX’s role in delivering value-driven investment opportunities.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX, emphasised that the combination of high compliance and profit growth reflects the resilience of listed companies and their commitment to best governance practices. He noted that the exchange continues to prioritise building an agile, liquid and globally competitive capital market, supported by a diversified investor base and strong institutional participation.
He further highlighted that ADX remains focused on enhancing regulatory frameworks and strengthening investor confidence, ensuring that the exchange continues to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s broader economic transformation and global competitiveness.
The strong performance comes amid a dynamic global economic landscape, where transparency and accountability are increasingly critical in attracting international capital. By maintaining strict disclosure standards and promoting governance excellence, ADX is reinforcing its role as a trusted financial hub in the region.
Beyond financial metrics, the exchange’s continued focus on innovation and market development is helping to expand its global appeal. Through a diversified offering that includes equities, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other financial instruments, ADX enables investors to access a wide range of opportunities within a regulated, efficient marketplace.
The exchange’s integrated infrastructure, supported by its post-trade ecosystem including clearing, settlement and custody services, further enhances its ability to deliver efficient and resilient capital market operations. This comprehensive framework ensures that both issuers and investors benefit from a seamless and secure trading environment.
ADX’s achievements align closely with the UAE’s long-term economic vision, which focuses on building a diversified, knowledge-driven and sustainable economy. As part of this strategy, capital markets play a crucial role in facilitating investment, supporting business growth and attracting global financial flows.
Industry observers note that the exchange’s ability to combine high transparency with strong financial performance sets a benchmark for regional and international markets. By fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, ADX is not only strengthening its own ecosystem but also contributing to the broader development of the UAE’s financial sector.
As global markets continue to evolve, initiatives that prioritise governance, transparency and investor protection are becoming increasingly important. ADX’s latest performance demonstrates how these elements can drive both market confidence and economic growth, reinforcing its position as a key pillar of the UAE’s financial landscape.
