UAE retail investors are feeling more hopeful about the local stock market. This is despite ongoing tension in the region. A new eToro survey found that 82% of investors expect UAE stocks to rise in the next 12 months. That number was 76% in March. It is the highest score since eToro began asking this question in November 2024.
The survey polled 1,000 retail investors in the UAE. It also found rising trust in local companies and the wider economy. About 93% of investors said they feel confident about the long-term performance of UAE-listed firms. That figure was 90% in March. Confidence in the UAE economy also went up, from 90% to 91%.
This confidence goes beyond the UAE alone. About 58% of investors said the Middle East will likely give the strongest long-term returns. In comparison, 47% picked the US, and 35% picked China.
The shift is also visible in real investment plans. Only 14% of investors are now pulling back from UAE stocks over political worries. That number was 25% in March. Meanwhile, 71% plan to invest more in the coming year. Another 21% plan to keep their investments steady.
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Investors are also becoming choosier about sectors. Real estate is the clear favorite, with 58% feeling positive about it. That is up from 54% in March. Technology stayed steady at 49%. Energy lost some shine, falling from 42% to 35%. Financial services also dipped, from 37% to 33%.
Fears around geopolitical risk have eased too. Only 30% of investors now think regional tension will seriously hurt their portfolios in the next six months. That is down from 38% in March.
Overall, the survey shows growing confidence among UAE investors. More people are also thinking long-term. The number citing financial security as a top goal jumped from 34% to 49% since March.