Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s largest listed property developer, recorded a significant increase in profitability during the third quarter of 2026, supported by higher revenue and continued development activity across the UAE. The company’s latest results come as it prepares to introduce major residential projects in Dubai and expands its investment portfolio into new markets.
According to the company’s filing with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), net profit attributable to shareholders reached Dh1.9 billion for the three months ending September 2026, representing a 25% increase compared with the same period last year. Revenue and rental income also grew by 16.4% year-on-year to Dh9.3 billion.
The results highlight Aldar’s continued financial strength, although the wider UAE property market is experiencing changing buyer sentiment amid regional uncertainty.
Aldar Maintains Property Prices Despite Market Uncertainty
Despite concerns about regional developments and their potential impact on real estate demand, Aldar has maintained its pricing strategy across its developments. The company continues to monitor sales activity and buyer demand while assessing opportunities for future launches.
Faisal Falaknaz, Aldar’s Group Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, said during an online media briefing that sales volumes remained healthy and that the company was continuing to review market conditions closely.
The developer has also introduced gradual price increases in selected projects where demand and sales performance have supported higher values.
Yas Island in Abu Dhabi was highlighted as an example. A residential development launched there in July achieved prices exceeding Dh31,000 per square metre for non-branded residences, generating sales of nearly Dh1.5 billion, according to the company’s comments reported by The National.
These figures indicate that demand for certain premium residential developments has continued despite uncertainty affecting the broader property market.
Dh30 Billion Dubai Development to Include Thousands of Homes
Aldar is preparing to expand its presence in Dubai through a major development planned in partnership with Dubai Holding. The project, expected to launch in the coming weeks, is set to include approximately 7,000 townhouses and up to 5,000 apartments.
With an estimated gross development value of Dh30 billion, the master-planned community will be located near Dubai Silicon Oasis. Development is expected to take place in phases, with the entire project scheduled to be completed over approximately five to six years.
The planned launch represents a substantial addition to Dubai’s residential property pipeline, offering a mix of townhouse and apartment options. Its location near an established technology and residential district could also appeal to buyers considering long-term homeownership and property investment.
For investors exploring off-plan properties in Dubai, large-scale developments such as this underline the importance of assessing location, construction timelines, payment arrangements and the developer’s track record before committing to a purchase.
Development Backlog Supports Future Revenue
Aldar’s development backlog stood at Dh71.6 billion at the end of September 2026, including Dh59.3 billion attributable to projects in the UAE. This backlog represents contracted development activity that is expected to contribute to revenue recognition over the next two to three years, subject to project delivery and applicable accounting requirements.
However, sales during the third quarter reflected a more cautious market environment. Aldar recorded Dh6.8 billion in group development sales, a 34% decline compared with the corresponding period last year. The company launched seven projects during the quarter, bringing its total number of launches for the year to 12.
Within the UAE, development sales declined by 45% year-on-year to Dh5 billion.
The contrast between higher quarterly profits and lower development sales demonstrates why investors should consider several indicators when assessing a property developer. Profitability, contracted sales, future project deliveries and new-launch performance each provide a different perspective on the company’s position.
UAE Residential Property Market Shows Mixed Performance
The latest results come against a changing backdrop for the UAE real estate sector. Government initiatives, international investment and residency programmes have supported market growth in recent years. However, regional uncertainty appears to be influencing transaction activity and buyer decisions in some locations.
Abu Dhabi’s residential market delivered mixed results in the third quarter. According to a report by Savills cited by The National, transaction volumes declined by 7% year-on-year to 6,085, while the total value of transactions increased by 32% to Dh21.5 billion.
Dubai also experienced a slowdown in residential transaction activity during the same period. Property consultancy Cavendish Maxwell reported that residential sales reached Dh72.6 billion in the third quarter, down 47% from a year earlier. Transaction volumes fell by 38% to approximately 34,000.
These figures suggest that market activity has become more selective, although the performance of individual projects and locations can differ considerably. Transaction values, sales volumes and demand for specific property types should therefore be assessed separately rather than treated as uniform indicators of the entire market.
Aldar Expands into Sharjah Through New Investment
Alongside its development pipeline in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Aldar is extending its reach into other parts of the UAE through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.
In October 2026, the company agreed to acquire more than 1,100 residential units in Sharjah from Arada for Dh1.1 billion. The transaction marks Aldar’s first investment in the emirate and covers nine buildings across three residential blocks within Aljada, Arada’s flagship mixed-use development. Delivery is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2029.
The acquisition builds on a Dh15 billion development partnership announced by Aldar and Arada in September. The partnership includes plans for new developments around the Abu Dhabi–Dubai border, strengthening cooperation between the two companies and expanding their exposure to the UAE residential market.
Aldar has also seen an increase in its ownership by Mubadala Investment Company, which raised its shareholding from 27.01% to 28.03% in August 2026.
Together, these developments reflect Aldar’s broader strategy of combining residential development, investment acquisitions and partnerships to expand its presence across the country.
What Aldar’s Latest Results Mean for Property Investors
Aldar’s third-quarter performance presents a mixed but important picture of the UAE real estate sector. Higher profits and revenue demonstrate continued financial momentum, while declining development sales and residential transactions point to a more cautious market environment.
The planned Dh30 billion Dubai development and the company’s expansion into Sharjah will be important projects to monitor as new supply enters the market. For prospective off-plan buyers, the key considerations remain the credibility of the developer, the location of the property, the payment plan, expected handover dates and the potential for future demand.
Investors should also compare individual projects rather than relying solely on headline market growth or a developer’s quarterly profit figures. Property prices, rental prospects and resale demand can vary significantly between communities and property types.
Explore Off-Plan Property Opportunities in Dubai
Dubai continues to offer a diverse range of off-plan residential developments, from apartments in established communities to townhouses in emerging master-planned neighbourhoods. Understanding the project, location and payment structure can help buyers make more informed investment decisions.
Visit Off Plan Dubai Property to explore off-plan developments across Dubai and learn more about available investment opportunities.
This article is intended for general property-market information and should not be considered financial or investment advice.
Source and attribution: This article has been rewritten using reporting published by The National news on 27 October 2026.
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