Abu Dhabi's Top 18 Profit-Making Conglomerates Reap $21.3 Billion in Earnings

UAE's Corporate Giants Post Record-Breaking Profits as Economy Surges

The UAE's stock markets have delivered a striking demonstration of corporate strength, with 27 listed companies each generating over AED 1 billion in net profits during the first half of 2025. This milestone reflects the Emirates' robust economic fundamentals and business-friendly environment that continues to drive corporate expansion across key sectors including banking, energy, real estate, and telecommunications.

Billion-Dirham Club Expands as Profits Surge

The collective net profits of these 27 "billion-dirham companies" reached AED 119.5 billion, marking a solid 10.6% growth compared to approximately AED 108 billion in the same period last year. This performance underscores the UAE's economic resilience and its ability to maintain growth momentum despite global uncertainties.

Abu Dhabi's stock exchange dominated the landscape with 18 companies achieving billion-dirham profits, collectively generating AED 78.28 billion – representing 65.5% of total profits from this elite group. This concentration highlights Abu Dhabi's role as the UAE's economic powerhouse, driven largely by energy giants and major financial institutions.

Banking Sector Leads Profitability Rankings

The financial services sector demonstrated particular strength, with 16 listed banks generating combined net profits of approximately AED 46.2 billion, up 7.4% year-on-year. Nine banks secured positions among the top 10 most profitable companies, indicating the sector's fundamental health and the UAE's position as a regional financial hub.

Top Performers Showcase Diverse Economic Strength

Emirates NBD claimed the top spot with net profits exceeding AED 12.52 billion, despite a 9% year-on-year decline. International Holding Company followed with AED 10.8 billion (down 12.2%), while First Abu Dhabi Bank posted strong growth of 26.5% to reach AED 10.63 billion.

The energy sector's robust performance was exemplified by ADNOC Gas, which generated AED 9.75 billion in profits with 12% growth, reflecting the UAE's strategic positioning in global energy markets and successful diversification within the oil and gas value chain.

Real Estate Boom Drives Spectacular Returns

Real estate companies delivered some of the most impressive growth rates, with Emaar Properties achieving 30% growth to AED 8.879 billion and Emaar Development posting remarkable 40.7% growth to AED 4.7 billion. This performance reflects the UAE's red-hot property market, driven by international investment flows and population growth.

Strategic Implications for Regional Markets

These results position the UAE as a standout performer in the Gulf region, particularly when compared to other regional markets facing various economic pressures. The diversity of high-performing sectors – from traditional banking and energy to telecommunications and healthcare – demonstrates successful economic diversification efforts.

The telecommunications sector showed exceptional momentum, with e& (formerly Etisalat) posting 61% growth to AED 8.827 billion, while du achieved 22.9% growth to AED 1.449 billion. This reflects the UAE's digital transformation initiatives and growing demand for advanced connectivity services.

Investment Climate Remains Attractive

For international investors, these results reinforce the UAE's appeal as a stable, growth-oriented market. The consistent performance across multiple sectors suggests that the Emirates' business environment continues to support corporate expansion and profitability, making it an attractive destination for both regional and global capital.

The healthcare sector's inclusion in this elite group, represented by Pure Health with AED 1.26 billion in profits, signals the UAE's successful development of non-oil sectors and its emergence as a regional healthcare hub.

Looking Forward: Sustained Growth Trajectory

The breadth of companies achieving billion-dirham profits – spanning 27 entities across multiple sectors – suggests that the UAE's economic growth is both deep and sustainable. This performance comes as the country continues to implement Vision 2071 and various economic diversification strategies.

The strong showing by utility companies like DEWA (13.2% growth to AED 2.89 billion) and infrastructure players reflects the UAE's continued investment in foundational economic assets, supporting long-term competitiveness and growth potential.