Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (US /ˈɑːbuː ˈdɑːbi/, UK /ˈæbuː ˈdɑːbi/; Arabic: أبو ظبي‎ Abū Ẓabī Emirati pronunciation [ɐˈbuˈðˤɑbi]) is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government offices, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis. Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi (/ˌæbuː ˈdɑːbi/, /ˌɑː-/, or /-ˈdæ-/;Arabic: إمارة أبو ظبي‎ Imārat Abū Ẓaby, pronounced [ʔabuː ˈðˤɑbi]), is one of seven Emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km^²), accounting for approximately 87 per cent of the total land area of the federation. Abu Dhabi also has the largest population of the seven emirates. In June 2011, it was estimated to be 2,120,700 people, of which, 439,100 people (less than 21%) were Emirati citizens, which has risen to 2.3 million in 2012.

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the emirate, after which it is named, as well as the capital of the federation.

Abu Dhabi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, in 2011, amounted to AED 806,031 million at current prices. Mining and quarrying (includes crude oil and natural gas) accounts for the largest contribution to GDP (58.5 per cent in 2011). Construction related industries are the next largest contributor (10.1 per cent in 2011). GDP grew to AED 911.6 billion in 2012, or over 100,000 USD per capita.

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (A.D.X.) (formerly Abu Dhabi Securities Market) [ADSM] (Arabic: سوق أبوظبي للأوراق ألمالية) is a stock exchange in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was established on 15 November 2000 to trade shares of UAE companies. There are trading locations in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujeirah, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) is a different exchange that trades shares of other public UAE companies but investors can also trade ADSM shares with some of the brokers based at DFM.

The ADSM has more companies listed than DFM but trading volume is usually much less. During 2004-2005 there was a substantial increase in share prices and trading activity. From the end of 2005 through until mid-2006 there was a significant downturn with the overall ADSM index dropping just over 30% in the first six months of 2006.

listed companies by sector

List provided by Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA), including 67 companies in 4 sectors, whereas Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange provides more sectors.

Stock exchange

A stock exchange or bourse is an exchange where stock brokers and traders can buy and/or sell stocks (also called shares), bonds, and other securities. Stock exchanges may also provide facilities for issue and redemption of securities and other financial instruments, and capital events including the payment of income and dividends. Securities traded on a stock exchange include stock issued by listed companies, unit trusts, derivatives, pooled investment products and bonds. Stock exchanges often function as "continuous auction" markets, with buyers and sellers consummating transactions at a central location, such as the floor of the exchange.

To be able to trade a security on a certain stock exchange, it must be listed there. Usually, there is a central location at least for record keeping, but trade is increasingly less linked to such a physical place, as modern markets use electronic networks, which gives them advantages of increased speed and reduced cost of transactions. Trade on an exchange is restricted to brokers who are members of the exchange. In recent years, various other trading venues, such as electronic communication networks, alternative trading systems and "dark pools" have taken much of the trading activity away from traditional stock exchanges.