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Dubai’s main share index rose as much as 3.4 percent intraday before finishing 0.8 percent higher on March 18, 2026, according to Reuters. Blue-chip developer Emaar Properties gained 4.4 percent while MashreqBank advanced 4.8 percent in the session. Emirates NBD closed 0.9 percent higher after surging more than 9 percent at one point. The bourse had fallen nearly 20 percent at its lowest point during the conflict before cutting losses to around 15 percent, Reuters data showed.
The UAE central bank approved a broad financial resilience package the previous day to strengthen banking sector stability, a central bank statement said. Banks in the country hold nearly 250 billion dollars in liquidity and eligible assets and will gain greater access to reserve balances of up to 30 percent along with term liquidity facilities in both dirhams and U.S. dollars, according to the Central Bank of the UAE. The package is backed by the central bank’s assets of approximately AED 1 trillion and covers five key pillars to allow utilisation of excess liquidity and capital buffers, a Central Bank of the UAE review found. This initiative arrived as Israel escalated actions against Iran and the latter renewed attacks on oil facilities in the UAE, Reuters reported.
Abu Dhabi’s index added 0.2 percent with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank jumping 3.6 percent, exchange figures show. Oman’s index gained 1.3 percent and Bahrain’s edged 0.1 percent higher while Qatar’s benchmark dropped 1 percent with Ooredoo losing 3.6 percent, according to respective market operators. Kuwait’s bourse lost 0.5 percent and Saudi Arabia’s stock market stayed closed for the Eid holidays, Reuters noted. Egypt’s blue-chip index climbed 3.4 percent outside the Gulf with Commercial International Bank surging 8.5 percent.
Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, said the rebound highlights the UAE’s financial resilience and long-term appeal to investors. In remarks reported by Reuters on March 18, 2026, Hasn noted that recent weakness may offer attractive entry points supported by the country’s regulatory framework, political stability and business-friendly environment. The assessment aligns with a period in which Gulf equities faced declines of 3 to 5 percent on conflict fears earlier in the month, according to a Global Banking and Finance analysis.
Dubai’s index stood at 5,288.70 on March 16 before the gains, historical data published by the Dubai Financial Market shows. The central bank’s package followed a board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan that reviewed the strength of the UAE financial system, a Central Bank of the UAE statement said. Regional markets have shown mixed performance since the onset of heightened tensions with later reports indicating continued volatility into late March.
The UAE’s financial markets rank among those hardest hit by the fallout from the conflict, an Al Jazeera assessment found. Projections from various analysts pointed to ongoing recovery potential through the remainder of 2026 supported by policy measures and underlying economic fundamentals, according to Markets.com research. The developments underscore the sector’s response to exceptional global and regional circumstances as outlined in official communications.
