DUBAI: The aggregate profits of the UAE’s 13 publicly listed property companies rose by almost 30 percent in the first quarter, state-run news agency WAM reported.
The real estate companies’ profits surged to 4.35 billion dirhams ($1.18 billion), from 3.36 billion dirhams a year ago, during the period ended March, which beat “expectations of industry analysts” and led the “market in terms of dividend distributions, thanks to a consistently growing demand,” the report added.
At the Dubai Financial Market, the eight listed property companies reported profits worth 3.65 billion dirhams during the first three months of the year, 36.2 percent higher compared with the 2.68 billion dirhams in the same period of 2017. The data was consolidated from the financial figures released by the companies.
Emaar Properties, the UAE’s biggest listed property developer, was the best performer with a 1.5-billion-dirham profit for the first quarter as topline numbers were boosted by higher contributions from its shopping malls and hospitality businesses.
The Dubai developer has launched a few projects this year: Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Hills Estate, Emaar South, Emaar Beachfront, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Marina.
Emaar Development, the real estate arm of Emaar, earlier said its net profit increased by about 62 percent to 819 million dirhams during the three months to end-March, from 506 million dirhams a year earlier.
Over at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the combined income of the five listed property companies rose 3.8 percent to 704 million dirhams during the first quarter from 678 million dirhams a year ago.
Aldar Properties announced a 4 percent rise in its first-quarter profit to 668 million dirhams, from 641 million dirhams, in what the emirate’s largest developer described as a “strong start to the year.”
“Development sales for the quarter were 681 million dirhams, driven by sales of existing developments under construction, with over 80 percent of all projects under development sold as at March 31,” Aldar said in a statement.
The developer also launched Reflection at the end of the quarter, a boutique development on Reem Island which consists of 374 units.
Aldar and Emaar entered into a joint venture last March to develop 30 billion dirhams worth of pipeline projects, initially focusing on Emaar Beach Front in Dubai and Saadiyat Grove at Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Listed UAE property companies report 30% rise in combined first-quarter profits
Listed UAE property companies report 30% rise in combined first-quarter profits
Gulf emerging as beneficiary amid changing global alliances, says TCW executive
DAVOS: As artificial intelligence dominated discussions at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, asset managers are exploring how the technology can be deployed at scale without losing the human judgement that underpins investment decisions.
For Jennifer Grancio, global head of distribution at asset management firm TCW, Saudi Arabia’s approach to energy and AI makes it a particularly attractive hub for investors.
“Saudi Arabia has been very forward-leaning in traditional energy,” Grancio said.
“They’ve also invested heavily in grid efficiency and electricity, which positions them to serve the wider region. Combined with AI adoption, it makes them a powerhouse for investment opportunities.”
For TCW, the focus is not on replacing human expertise but on expanding capacity.
“We’re using AI to increase capacity, not to replace investment analysts or people who write commentaries or evaluate securities,” Grancio explained.
The firm continues to rely on deep research, deploying AI selectively across functions such as securitized credit, marketing and investment teams.
TCW’s engagement with AI predates the current wave of enthusiasm and adoption.
“We were actually an early AI investor. In the US, we have the oldest AI fund, launched over eight years ago, focused on both enablers and adopters,” Grancio said.
The dual focus on technology and infrastructure increasingly aligns with developments in the Gulf.
“As an investment manager, we look at both the AI systems being developed and how energy and power infrastructure supports them,” she said, highlighting TCW’s global energy and power strategy, which has consistently outperformed its benchmark.
Geopolitical shifts are also reshaping investment flows to the Gulf.
“Concerns around the US, China or Russia have led global investors to rely more on the Gulf,” Grancio said. “It’s a great time for development and trade there.”
Emerging markets are drawing growing attention from investors.
“In the US, there’s a rotation toward global exposure. Elsewhere, there’s renewed focus on emerging markets and managing through volatility,” she said.
TCW has benefited from this trend, particularly in emerging market debt, with sovereign clients increasing allocations by billions of dollars.
Volatility, Grancio added, can create opportunity. “As a value manager, we do deep research and focus on relative valuation. In fixed income and securitized credit, volatility allows us to increase returns for clients.”
In the Middle East, sovereign wealth funds and pension systems are expanding into private credit and alternative income strategies. Education is key, Grancio said.
“Understanding what’s different about private investments is critical. They offer strong compounding and portfolio diversification.”
Private asset-backed finance is a growing trend in the region. “We’re seeing portfolios shift from public fixed income into private securitized credit, a major growth area.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Grancio said that shifts will vary by region and investor type. “In the US, the wealth market has moved toward ETFs. We’ve rapidly built out a $6 billion ETF platform to meet demand,” she said.
