UAE listed profits surged during the second quarter of 2026, supported by strong performances across banking, real estate, and other major sectors. Companies listed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai recorded combined net profits of $21.6 billion. That figure equals approximately Dh79.2 billion. Overall profits increased 28.6 percent compared with the same period last year. The results highlight the continued strength of major UAE businesses. They also demonstrate resilience across important parts of the economy despite ongoing regional tensions.
Abu Dhabi-listed companies generated most of the increase during the quarter. Their combined net profits reached $14.7 billion, marking a 41.8 percent rise from the second quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Dubai-listed companies reported $6.9 billion in quarterly profits. Their earnings increased 4.9 percent compared with the previous year. Although Dubai recorded slower growth, its companies still delivered solid results across several major industries. Together, the two markets helped strengthen the UAE’s overall corporate earnings during the period.
For the first six months of 2026, UAE-listed companies generated combined net profits of $38.9 billion. That figure represents a 21.6 percent increase from $32 billion during the same period last year. Abu Dhabi companies accounted for $25.2 billion of the first-half total. Their profits increased 29.8 percent year-on-year. Dubai companies generated $13.7 billion during the same period, representing an 8.5 percent increase. Therefore, both markets contributed to the country’s strong corporate earnings performance during the first half.
Banking remained one of the most important contributors to Abu Dhabi’s results. Listed banks generated aggregate earnings of $3.5 billion during the second quarter. That result represented a 12.1 percent annual increase. First Abu Dhabi Bank recorded the largest profit among listed banks, with quarterly net earnings of $1.6 billion. Its profit increased 3.8 percent compared with the previous year. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank also delivered strong growth, with quarterly profit reaching $919.1 million. Its operating income increased 12 percent, supporting the bank’s improved performance.
Other Abu Dhabi sectors also produced significant gains during the quarter. The food, beverage and tobacco sector recorded more than $3.5 billion in earnings. Its profits increased more than three times compared with the previous year. Investment-related gains contributed significantly to that result. In particular, gains from investment disposals provided an additional boost. The capital goods sector also recorded substantial growth, with profits increasing 170 percent. Two-Point Zero Group played a leading role in the sector’s strong performance.
Dubai’s banking and real estate industries remained the primary sources of corporate earnings growth. Together, the two sectors accounted for 75.9 percent of total quarterly profits in Dubai. The banking sector generated $3.3 billion in net earnings. That represented a 5.1 percent increase from the previous year. Mashreq Bank and Emirates NBD contributed strongly to the sector’s performance. Emirates NBD also reported a record first-half result. Its figures included the financial impact of consolidating India’s RBL Bank.
Real estate companies provided another major boost to Dubai’s corporate earnings. The sector recorded $1.9 billion in quarterly profits, representing a 20.1 percent annual increase. Emaar Properties led the sector with $1 billion in quarterly net profit. The company also recorded $7.2 billion in property sales during the period. Furthermore, its revenue backlog reached $44.9 billion. These figures indicate continued strength across Dubai’s property market. Emaar Development also ranked among the sector’s strongest performers during the first half.
Most of Dubai’s listed sectors recorded annual profit growth during the second quarter. Nine of the market’s thirteen listed sectors reported higher earnings compared with last year. However, four sectors recorded declines during the period. Utilities and telecommunications ranked among the sectors facing weaker results. Nevertheless, the broad increase across most sectors helped maintain Dubai’s overall earnings momentum. The results also showed that growth extended beyond the financial and property industries.
The UAE’s strong performance formed part of a wider improvement across Gulf markets. Companies listed on GCC exchanges generated combined net profits of $74.8 billion during the second quarter. Regional earnings increased 31.3 percent compared with the previous year. They also grew 10 percent from the first quarter of 2026. Furthermore, the second quarter marked a new record for combined GCC corporate profits. The region therefore recorded its second consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth.
Energy companies played an important role in the wider regional improvement. Higher average crude oil prices supported stronger earnings across several Gulf markets. Average Brent crude prices increased 27 percent for a second consecutive quarter. The price increase helped offset lower crude exports from the region. More than one-third of listed energy companies across the region reported stronger earnings. Consequently, higher oil prices provided important support for overall GCC corporate profitability.
Kuwait recorded the strongest percentage growth among GCC markets during the quarter. Kuwaiti companies almost doubled their combined profits to $3.1 billion. Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Oman also recorded double-digit profit growth. However, Qatar and Bahrain recorded weaker results. Qatari companies reported a 20 percent decline in combined profits. Bahraini companies recorded a smaller decline of 0.4 percent. These differences highlight the varying impact of market conditions across the Gulf.
Revenue growth also strengthened across GCC-listed companies during the second quarter. Combined revenues reached $381.6 billion, representing a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Saudi Aramco contributed significantly to that growth. The company’s revenue increased 28.1 percent during the quarter. Overall, the latest results show continued momentum across major UAE-listed companies. UAE listed profits benefited from strong banking and real estate activity. At the same time, energy gains and investment-related results supported the broader regional earnings recovery.
The latest figures provide a positive picture of corporate performance across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Banking continues to provide a stable earnings base for both markets. Meanwhile, strong real estate activity continues to support Dubai’s companies. Other sectors also contributed through higher operating income and investment gains. As a result, UAE listed profits maintained strong growth during the first half of 2026. Investors will likely continue watching upcoming corporate results for signs of whether this momentum can continue.
