Donald Trump’s pronouncements are triggering almost instantaneous trading among Middle Eastern retail investors, generating more activity than Federal Reserve decisions or key U.S. economic data, according to industry executives. The Dubai Financial Market’s trading value surged 40% year-on-year to $32.5 billion in the first half of 2026, while trading platform Capital.com recorded $1.13 trillion in global client trading volume in Q2, with the Middle East accounting for 57% of that total. Gold represented 49.9% of Capital.com’s Middle East volume, followed by the U.S. Tech 100 at 23.5% and WTI crude at 7.3%. Gulf Cooperation Council states held approximately $891 billion in U.S. equities as of June 2025, solidifying the UAE’s position as a retail trading hub competing with established financial centers.
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