UAE Steady Amid Market Swings

As we’ve come to expect from markets in 2025, another 24 hours of news headlines roiled markets. According to Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst at eToro, initially, there was optimism following Trump’s “very good” call with China’s Xi Jinping, which revived hopes of trade negotiations progressing. However, the market quickly changed its focus to the Trump/Musk spat that unfolded via social media, sending Tesla shares tumbling 13% overnight.

This will provide a hit to overall market sentiment, particularly tech, but may not be something long-lasting other than for Tesla. They’ve already had a pretty terrible start to the year, surrendering their EV crown to BYD and losing market share globally, so this political punch is only going to put downside pressure on Tesla shares. The EV slowdown hit hard, but being in the political firing line adds a new layer of risk for Tesla investors.

Despite the noise, global equities remain elevated after a strong run since April. But that momentum faces a test. Tariff tensions and political risk continue to cloud the outlook, and for the rally to continue, investors will need clarity on trade and policy, both of which remain elusive for now.

In the UAE, local markets have held firm near multi-year highs, supported by strong earnings and President Trump’s recent visit, helping to bolster regional confidence. This alongside a pipeline of exciting IPOs and solid macro backdrop is drawing sustained foreign investment. The performance from DFM and ADX this year, outperforming the S&P500 only solidifies the UAE’s position as a growing global financial hub that investors shouldn’t ignore.

With so much uncertainty in markets, we continue to see a compelling case for keeping long-term exposure to gold. Over the long term, we believe gold remains a strategic asset: a core holding amid accelerating de-globalization, and a transition asset during a period marked by policy uncertainty. It offers stability against risk events while providing a reliable longer-term store of value and, importantly, as a portfolio diversifier. Even in the age of digital assets and AI, a bit of that classic yellow metal can provide balance and reassurance.