DFM Company posts net profit of AED 120.6 million in 2019

H.E. Essa Kazim highlighting DFM’s key developments of the past year:

• The implementation of structural development plan, establishing independent depository and clearing companies reinforces DFM’s business excellence journey
• Accelerated steps to launch the first platform of its kind globally for trading of free zone companies as well as the REITs platform
• Active participation in regulatory enhancements’ efforts to encourage going public and strengthen DFM’s position as the most favored listing venue
• launching the DFM Shari’a Index supports our efforts to attract more Islamic investments
• Net purchases of foreign investors reached AED 2.8 billion, underlining DFM’s attractiveness to international investments
• The market registered 3067 new investors lifting its investor base to 844,455 investors

Dubai: Dubai Financial Market Company (PJSC) today announced its results for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, posting a net profit of AED 120.6 million, compared to AED 125.5 million in 2018, a 4% decline. Total revenues reached to AED 315.8million in 2019 compared to AED 324.7 million in 2018. The total revenue comprised of AED 177 million of operational revenues and AED 138.8 million of investment revenues and others. Company expenses reached AED 195.2 million during 2019 compared to AED 199.2 million in 2018.

Total revenue of the Company during the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 2% to AED 74.2million compared to AED 72.8 million during the corresponding period of 2018. The net profit of the period increased 15% to AED 25.1 million compared to AED 21.8 million in the last quarter of 2018.

During its meeting on Sunday, 9 February 2020, the Board of Directors reviewed and approved the annual results ahead of that will be submitted for ratification during the Annual General Meeting of the Company that will be held based on the approval of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). The Board of Directors also proposed a cash dividend of AED 200 million equivalent to 2.5% of the Company’s capital.

Structural development plan and business excellence

Commenting on the key developments and achievements of 2019, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of the Company said, “During 2019, the DFM continued to lead the way in the development of the UAE’s financial markets, through the implementation of a substantial part of its structural development plan by establishing independent depository and clearing companies, thereby taking corporate excellence in the market to new levels. The DFM also implemented several projects in line with its 2021 strategic plan, aimed at enhancing market competitiveness and diversification of product offerings and services in order to better position the market for sustainable growth. In 2019, the DFM launched the new post-trading services organizational structure aiming to separate trading activities from post-trading services in line with international best practices. A significant part of the reorganization plan has been completed, including licensing the Dubai Central Clearing & Depository Holding (DCCD) L.L.C., a holding company for post-trading services with two companies under its umbrella, namely: Dubai Central Securities Depository (Dubai CSD) (L.L.C.) and Dubai Clear (L.L.C.). We officially received the regulatory license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) to incorporate Dubai CSD (L.L.C.), as the first independent company for central securities depository services in the UAE. With regard to Dubai Clear (L.L.C.), the central counterparty company, it is due to commence operations in the year 2020 upon receiving the regulatory approval from the SCA.”

Enhancing regulations to encourage IPOs

“The DFM is actively participating in the development of financial markets’ regulatory and legislative infrastructure in cooperation with the concerned entities, including the Ministry of Economy, the SCA and other related bodies. We are working to encourage family and private businesses to avail the advantages of the financial markets, which ultimately strengthens DFM’s position as the most favored listing venue. Based on our active communications with these companies, we anticipate a revival in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) sector, as a result of the many amendments and enhancements made during the past period,” he added. 

Diversification of product offering and asset classes

Commenting on DFM’s efforts to diversify product offering and asset classes, H.E. Essa Kazim said: “We are accelerating efforts towards launching the first platform of its kind globally for share trading of free zone companies. The upcoming platform is part of the Dubai 10X Plan and developed in collaboration with leading strategic partners including; The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (SLC). It will enable free zone companies representing various economic sectors to leverage the advantages of listing on DFM. Additionally, we have completed preparations to launch the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) platform, which will be an important addition to the list of traded financial tools considering the significant presence and global reputation of Dubai’s real estate sector.”

Performance indicators

With regards to the market performance, H.E. Essa Kazim said: “The DFM General Index has increased by 9.3% during the year 2019 and despite the 12.5% decline in trading value to AED 53 billion, the market remained attractive to foreign investment. Foreign investors’ transactions generated net purchases of AED 2.824 billion and they acquired 49.6% of market activity, with an ownership of 17.35% of total market capitalization. On the other hand, institutions’ ownership of total market capitalization reached 83.6% at the end of 2019, with a 54.2% share of the total trading. The DFM registered 3067 new investors, lifting its investor base to 844,455 investors.

International investor roadshows

As part of our constant efforts to strengthen issuers’ links with international investors and attract more liquidity, the DFM has organized two highly successful international investors roadshows in New York and London during the year 2019. The success of our roadshows provides clear indication on investors’ confidence in the economic environment in Dubai and the UAE as well as the DFM’s increased ability to attract new institutional investors, hence we are looking for market momentum in the coming period. It is noteworthy that the DFM has been continually organizing international roadshows since 2007, in a pioneering step amongst regional markets.

Smart Borse and digital transformation

The DFM, launched the “myAccount” service in a step that is the first-of-its-kind to strengthen its position as an innovative and leading market. The new service is part of DFM’s Smart Borse strategy and in line with the leadership’s vision on digital transformation. The service enables investors to make cash transfers from the electronic dividends account to bank account or iVESTOR accounts. It also enables them to use available funds to participate in IPO’s and rights issues. 

The DFM Shari’a Index

“Considering DFM’s status as the world’s first Shari’a-compliant exchange since 2007 and as part of our unwavering efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as the Capital of Islamic Economy globally, the market launched the “DFM Shari’a Index (DFMSI)”, the first of its kind among capital markets in the UAE. The Index provides investors with a standard tool to measure the performance of Shari’a-compliant companies, which facilitates investors’ trading in shares of these companies and supports DFM’s efforts to attract more Islamic investment,” H.E. Essa Kazim added.

Sustainability strategy 2025

“Our efforts to promote Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices among market participants received a strong boost with the launch of DFM’s sustainability strategy 2025. The strategy aims to transform DFM into the region’s leading sustainable financial market by developing the best sustainability and governance practices in listed companies and encouraging responsible investment. The DFM cooperates with many leading establishments to strengthen sustainability and governance practices as the “Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group” was launched by the DFM, the DIFC and ten other founding members as part of their joint efforts to support sustained development objectives of UAE 2030 and Dubai Plan 2021,” he concluded.

Awards

During the year 2019, the DFM has received the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) for the financial sector category, in addition to the “Excellence Recognition” award from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), in appreciation of the market’s adoption of the highest customer service standards. The market received both awards at its first nomination following a comprehensive assessment of all DFM’s procedures and services concluding that the market provides excellent customer service.

-Ends-

About Dubai Financial Market:

Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established as a public institution with its own independent corporate body. DFM operates as a secondary market for the trading of securities issued by public shareholding companies, bonds issued by the Federal Government or any of the local Governments and public institutions in the country, units of investment funds and any other financial instruments, local or foreign, which are accepted by the market. The DFM commenced operations on March 26, 2000 and became the first Islamic Shari’a-compliant exchange globally since 2007. Following its initial public offering in November 2006, when DFM offered 1.6 billion shares, representing 20 per cent of its paid-up capital of AED 8 billion, DFM became a public joint stock company and its shares were listed on 7 March 2007 with the trading symbol (DFM). . Following the IPO, the Government of Dubai retained the remaining 80 per cent of DFM Company through Borse Dubai Limited. www.dfm.ae 

For further information, please contact:
Atef Fathy
Vice President- Head of Media & Public Relations
Dubai Financial Market
Tel: 04-3055334
Email: afathy@dfm.ae 

© Press Release 2020