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Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, or ADX, commands a dominant position in Arab finance from its location in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the UAE’s largest and the Arab region’s second-largest stock market, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers provide a hub for investment in listed public companies on the main general index, and a platform for trading securities in private joint-stock companies through the parallel second market.

This guide will help you compare and choose ADX brokers, and covers the most important things to know before you start trading on the UAE’s leading stock exchange. We also list the top brokers with access to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2024.

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Brokers

These are the 5 best brokers for trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange:

  1. AvaTrade
  2. OANDA US
  3. Deriv.com
  4. Pepperstone
  5. XM

#1 - AvaTrade

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting
  • Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
  • Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)

Stock Exchanges

AvaTrade offers trading on 15 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Borsa Italiana
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Euronext
  • Hang Seng
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • London Stock Exchange
  • Nasdaq
  • Russell 2000
  • SIX Swiss Exchange
  • Shanghai Stock Exchange
  • Shenzhen Stock Exchange
  • Taiwan Stock Exchange
  • Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

  • The broker offers reliable 24/5 multilingual customer support with fast response times during testing
  • There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill
  • WebTrader is well-suited to beginners and features a strong suite of technical analysis tools and market research for day traders

Cons

  • A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
  • It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
  • Traders from the US are not accepted
Visit AvaTrade

#2 - OANDA US

Why We Chose OANDA US

OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, Crypto
  • Regulator: NFA, CFTC
  • Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:50

Stock Exchanges

OANDA US offers trading on 0 stock exchanges:

Pros

  • The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
  • OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
  • There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders

Cons

  • There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
  • It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
  • The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
Visit OANDA US

#3 - Deriv.com

Why We Chose Deriv.com

Deriv.com is a low cost, multi-asset broker with over 2.5 million global clients. With just a $5 minimum deposit, the firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside proprietary synthetic products which can't be found elsewhere. Deriv provides both its own in-house charting software and the hugely popular MetaTrader 5.

"Deriv.com will suit day traders looking to make fast-paced trades using CFDs and multipliers with high leverage up to 1:1000. The broker is also the industry leader in synthetic indices, which simulate real market movements and are available around the clock. "

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Multipliers, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
  • Regulator: MFSA, LFSA, VFSC, BFSC
  • Platforms: Deriv Trader, MT5
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:1000

Stock Exchanges

Deriv.com offers trading on 5 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Dow Jones
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • Nasdaq
  • New York Stock Exchange

Pros

  • Beginners and experienced day traders can access a good range of 20+ technical indicators in Deriv Trader vs 30+ in MT5
  • Traders can use multipliers between 1 and 30, with take profit, stop loss and deal cancellation parameters
  • There's a good range of fast deposit and withdrawal methods with zero payment fees and low minimum deposits

Cons

  • The range of 100+ assets trails some competitors such as Quotex which offers 400+
  • There are limited copy trading tools and analysis features compared to alternatives like IQ Cent
  • There's no loyalty program or rebate scheme for high volume traders
Visit Deriv.com

#4 - Pepperstone

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
  • Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Stock Exchanges

Pepperstone offers trading on 22 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • CAC 40 Index France
  • DAX GER 40 Index
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • FTSE UK Index
  • Hang Seng
  • Hong Kong Stock Exchange
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • Korean Stock Exchange
  • London Stock Exchange
  • Nasdaq
  • New York Stock Exchange
  • Russell 2000
  • S&P 500
  • SIX Swiss Exchange
  • Shanghai Stock Exchange
  • Shenzhen Stock Exchange
  • Taiwan Stock Exchange
  • Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

  • Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
  • Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
  • There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.

Cons

  • Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
  • Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.
  • Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
Visit Pepperstone

#5 - XM

Why We Chose XM

XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been known for its low fees on 1000+ instruments. XM is regulated by multiple financial bodies, including the ASIC and CySEC.

"XM is one of the best forex and CFD brokers we have tested. The flexible account types will suit a variety of short-term trading styles while the $5 minimum deposit and smooth sign-up process make it easy to start trading."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures
  • Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots

Stock Exchanges

XM offers trading on 14 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Borsa Italiana
  • CAC 40 Index France
  • DAX GER 40 Index
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • FTSE UK Index
  • Hang Seng
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • Nasdaq
  • S&P 500
  • SIX Swiss Exchange

Pros

  • The broker offers premium research including market sentiment, fundamental insights and strategy builders
  • 1000+ instruments are available, including recently added thematic indices, providing exposure to emerging industries
  • XM continues to deliver diverse and multilingual educational materials and offers a useful live education schedule for its webinars and insights

Cons

  • There's $5 inactivity fee after only 3 months, though this won't affect active traders
  • There is weak regulatory oversight through the global entity
  • PayPal deposits are not supported
Visit XM

How To Trade On The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Day trading is legal in the UAE, and foreign investors including non-residents are welcome to invest in the ADX and other Emirati exchanges, though there are several things you need to know to start investing:

How To Compare Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Brokers

Once you have obtained an investor number, you can begin investing through brokers that support trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. There are many factors to consider before choosing between investment platforms:

Fees

Costs will be a significant influence when choosing between ADX brokers. Fees can vary massively between brokers so you’ll want to spend some time comparing these before committing to a live account. Emirates NBD Securities, for example, charges a 0.125% broker commission for all trades placed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. EFG Hermes, on the other hand. charges 0.275% +AED 10 per order.

It is also important to factor in the cost to obtain your investor number to trade the ADX. This varies between Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers or affiliates, however our experts found this is AED 25 via ADIB Securities as an example.

Rewards

Bonuses and financial incentives may also be an important factor when investing through ADX brokers. Though promotions are typically limited, tiered programs and rewards are sometimes offered by Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers.

Emirates NBD Securities, for instance, operates a THARAA membership program with reward points available to be redeemed again future transactions made with the online broker.

Account Opening

The best Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers will offer a fast and efficient new profile registration process. You should look out for online application forms when opening a new account as some brokers based in the UAE still do not provide this. Automated services, particularly when it comes to identity verification, should rank highly.

Platforms & Investment Analysis

Trading terminals bridge the gap for retail investors to trade on a stock exchange. The top Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers will provide a range of platforms that day traders can use to invest their funds. This may include industry-established platforms such as MetaTrader 4 or 5, or bespoke software developed by the broker.

EFG Hermes, for example, provides traders with access to their ‘Pro’ and ‘One’ state-of-the-art platforms integrating real-time data, a wide array of asset classes and analysis tools at the touch of a button.

Abu Dhabi Background

Oil wealth has propelled Abu Dhabi through a period of rapid development since the UAE gained independence from the UK in 1971, and today this Gulf capital boasts an impressive array of features and amenities including a world-class airport, luxury hotels, and shopping malls filled with international brands’ stores.

Abu Dhabi is the regional centre for government as well as financial institutions including the First Abu Dhabi Bank – the largest Emirati bank – and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. As the UAE’s capital city, financial hub, and the home of cutting-edge sports, cultural and entertainment venues, Abu Dhabi’s profile has been rising internationally both as a holiday destination and a location to build lucrative careers.

Abu Dhabi’s path to development has been fuelled by fossil fuel wealth generated from the UAE’s vast reserves through the activities of the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, TAQA. However, a glance at local job boards, business journals and financial news sources reveal the presence of booming construction, service, communications and financial sectors.

Investing In The ADX

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is a gateway for investors to access this dynamic, rapidly growing market via online brokers. Over two decades of sustained growth since its foundation, the ADX’s performance has reflected Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s move from an oil-based to a more diverse economy.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has steadily gained recognition from international financial institutions as it met regulatory standards, winning it emerging market status on leading indices including the S&P, Dow Jones and FTSE. It has also made moves to follow international norms on sustainability, publishing its first sustainability report and issuing Environmental, Social and Governance guidance to companies in 2020.

History & Constituents

Founded in 2000, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is the leading exchange in the UAE with a market capitalization of more than $530 billion in 2022. This makes the ADX the second-largest regional stock exchange after Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul, and it is considerably larger than local competitors the Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange lists 73 organizations in its issuers directory, representing a broad swathe of the Emirati banking, energy, construction, insurance and service sectors. This list mainly comprises local public joint-stock companies which can be traded on the ADX’s main market, but it also includes twelve private equity companies established in the UAE that trade on the parallel second market.

Major players on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange include:

These corporations alone account for a large proportion of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange’s market cap, and it is well worth keeping up to date with their financial statements to give you an idea of the market direction. The top Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers will provide the latest financial details and significant market shifts associated with these companies.

The International Holding Company, which is owned through the Royal Group by members of the UAE’s monarchy, is of special interest as it is both the largest company listed on the ADX and the owner of subsidiary companies, such as tech firm Multiply, which are also listed.

Key Dates

Since its inauguration in 2000, the ADX has hit a number of significant milestones:

Strategy Tips

A winning strategy requires thorough research, and the best first step before making any trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is to familiarize yourself with the index’s historical performance as well as the companies listed on it.

You can get a general idea about the state of the ADX by researching the FTSE ADX Index Series. The index series, developed in partnership with FTSE Russell, provides daily index calculations on all listed companies on the ADX General Index. It also provides ten sector-specific indices based on the Industry Classification Benchmark, as well as the FTSE ADX 15, an index based on the top 15 companies listed on the ADX. It is a good idea for investors to supplement their research of these indices by studying financial statements and annual and quarterly reports from any specific companies which catch their eye. The best Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers will provide this information in a coherent and simplified manner, ideal for beginners to digest the relevant information.

One thing to bear in mind while trading with ADX brokers is that with just 73 listed companies, this is a relatively small index that is dominated by a handful of big players. As a result, the index will be disproportionately affected by the performance of the largest companies. For example, the International Holding Company and First Abu Dhabi Bank, the two largest companies on the index, account for more than a quarter of the index’s value based on market capitalization in 2022. Studying the specific indices by sector will give you a clearer picture of performance indicators if you want to trade in smaller companies.

You should also note that, as the primary stock exchange for a Gulf state which has historically depended on oil wealth, the ADX’s market dynamics have largely been shaped by developments related to fossil fuels.

This is not to say that the ADX’s price has simply followed oil prices. In fact, the impressive performance of the ADX since its foundation in 2000 has depended more on the influx of large amounts of Foreign Direct Investment, which has flowed steadily into the UAE since 2010 as the result of an intense programme of reforms aimed at diversifying the economy away from hydrocarbons.

Nevertheless, large oil and gas reserves continue to underpin the UAE’s economy, and this might explain the ADX’s buoyant performance since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While major international stock exchanges have faltered since the invasion, the ADX reached an all-time high above 10,000 in March 2022, after plunging to an eight-year low of around 3,600 at the height of COVID-19 induced panic in March 2020. Higher oil prices are likely to bring more revenues to the UAE, and this may well be reflected in significant upticks in investment in various sectors such as construction.

So, keeping a close eye on developments that may affect hydrocarbon prices and FDI in the UAE will form an essential part of the strategy both for long-term investors and for traders looking to profit from shorter-term price movements.

Trading Hours

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is open Monday through Friday, with the day divided into four stages during which buy and sell orders can be entered:

The ADX’s opening hours are in Gulf Standard Time (UCT + 4), and it is worth keeping in mind that the exchange is only open on weekdays. Note, not all accredited Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange broker’s will provide out-of-hours trading so check this before you sign up.

Market Holidays

As an Islamic country, many of the United Arab Emirates’ national holidays are based on the Islamic calendar and will change from year to year in relation to the commonly used Gregorian calendar. Make a note of the dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha if you plan to trade on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange this year, as markets will be closed throughout these holidays. These dates should be reflected in your Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers’ trading calendar.

Other holidays which affect the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange include:

Final Word On ADX Brokers

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is home to some of the largest companies in the Middle East. And while the country and economy have historically been dependent on oil, foreign investment, among other factors, now play a key role. Use our guide above to start trading on the ADX and use our list of the best Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers.

FAQs

ARE Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Brokers Regulated?

The ADX is regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority, a federal authority established by the UAE government in 2000 to oversee markets. The SCA reports directly to the UAE’s economy minister. The best ADX brokers are also regulated locally.

Where Is The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Located?

The main headquarters of the ADX is found in the Landmark Tower on Al Hisn Street in the Abu Dhabi city centre. Branches of the ADX can also be found in Al Ain and Sharjah. Note, ADX brokers may be based locally or offshore.

Who Owns The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange?

The ADX is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC, a state-owned development holding company which Abu Dhabi’s government established in 2018.

Who Manages The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange?

The ADX’s Managing Director and CEO is Saeed Hamad al-Dhaheri, who joined from TAQA where he was a Deputy CEO. The CFO, David Nevin, joined from the Intercontinental Exchange, where he served most recently as Group Finance Director of EMEA. The ADX’s board of directors is headed by chairman H.E. Hisham Khalid Malak, who also serves as undersecretary in Abu Dhabi’s Department of Finance.

What Is The Best Way To Contact The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange?

The easiest way to reach the ADX is through its website, which includes a section listing its contact number and a live chat option. It also allows users to write messages directly to the ADX’s customer service officers through the website, though it does not list an email address. You can also follow the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange through its Twitter account or contact Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange brokers for any other questions.