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7/24/25, 9:47 AM Shariah-compliant stocks turn UAE markets into year’s hottest trade | Khaleej Times

According to Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro, this momentum reflects growing investor demand

for high-growth opportunities in ethically screened assets. “Shariah-compliant stocks in the UAE have
become a strong draw for both regional and international investors looking to combine financial
returns with responsible investing principles,” he said.

Standout names include Salik, Dubai’s exclusive toll-gate operator, whose shares have soared
approximately 80 per cent, including dividends, over the last 12 months. Parkin, the city’s public
parking operator, has seen its stock price surge over 200 per cent including dividends since its IPO
last year, as investors respond positively to its stable, defensive revenue model.

The financial services sector has also played a key role in driving market performance. Abu Dhabi

Islamic Bank (ADIB), the UAE’s second-largest Islamic bank, has posted gains of over 98 per cent
including dividends in the last 12 months. Strong digital transformation, rising profit margins, and
growing demand for Shariah-compliant financial services have underpinned this growth. Similarly,
Amlak Finance, a key Islamic home financing provider, has seen its stock more than double in value

over the past year, boosted by Dubai’s thriving property market.

In the real estate sector, Union Properties has emerged as one of the top performers of 2025, with

shares rising over 100 per cent year-to-date. Its successful restructuring and the broader real estate
upcycle have positioned it just behind Amlak Finance as one of the best-performing stocks on the
DFM Index this year.

These exceptional performances reflect renewed investor confidence in UAE equities. Strong
macroeconomic fundamentals — including a projected real GDP growth of 4.4 per cent in 2025 and
5.4 per cent in 2026 — are helping to sustain momentum. High-profile IPOs like Parkin have further
energized market participation, creating fresh investment opportunities and affirming global interest in

the UAE’s capital markets.

Today, both the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) host a

robust lineup of Shariah-screened stocks, with a large portion of all listed companies adhering to

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