Iran War Impact on UAE Stock Markets causes $120 billion loss during conflict

The Iran war impact on UAE stock markets has caused major financial losses during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Reports show that since the war began on February 28, the UAE markets have lost around $120 billion.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges were the most affected. The Dubai index dropped by nearly 16 percent, while the Abu Dhabi index saw a decline of about 9 percent. This reflects strong investor concerns during the conflict.

According to reports, Dubai Financial Market (DFM) lost close to $45 billion in market value. At the same time, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) recorded a larger loss of around $75 billion.

The Iran war impact on UAE stock markets also affected the wider Gulf region. Qatar’s currency fell by about 4 percent, while Bahrain saw a decline of nearly 7 percent. However, Saudi Arabia and Oman showed some positive growth during the same period.

Global markets were not safe either. The S&P 500 index on Wall Street recorded a drop of around 7 percent during the conflict, showing wider economic pressure.

The UAE has worked hard to build a strong financial sector through economic diversification. In 2024, its total listed market value crossed $1 trillion, making it one of the top capital markets in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia.

Officials in Dubai are also aiming to make the city one of the world’s top four financial centers by 2033 under a long-term economic plan.