Dubai Financial Market Reveals Eid al-Fitr 2025 Trading Break
Mar, 26 2025
The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has made its 2025 holiday plans clear. For those keeping a close eye on financial markets, there's a pause in trading activities coming up. The DFM announced that trading will be on hold from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1, 2025, marking the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This pause synchronizes with the closures observed by the private sector across the UAE.
What makes this interesting is the reliance on moon sightings to finalize dates. The end of Ramadan, a period of fasting and spiritual reflection observed by Muslims globally, isn't tied to a fixed date. Instead, lunar observations dictate its conclusion, making the holiday schedule provisional. This year, if Ramadan extends into 30 days, it's possible the holiday could stretch to April 2.
But what does this mean for businesses and market participants? The DFM's securities market activities will take a back seat during this span. There won’t be any trading or settlement of securities, although derivatives contracts are among the few exceptions not affected by this break. Both traders and companies need to adjust their schedules, as this is in alignment with the standard UAE weekend.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued guidelines confirming that employees in the private sector will enjoy a paid holiday break during this time. This synchrony in holiday scheduling aids in minimizing any interruptions, though it demands proactive communication from employers to ensure everybody is on the same page.
Additionally, NASDAQ Dubai, part of the DFM framework, also adheres to this holiday schedule. With both markets observing these breaks, trading will set off again on Wednesday, April 2, assuming the tentative dates hold. For now, it’s a time for companies and traders alike to prepare for this annual pause, plan for operational shifts, and accommodate any moon-sighting surprises that might adjust the calendar post-announcement.