Women’s participation in finance in the UAE is increasingly visible not just in employment and entrepreneurship, but also in how retail investors allocate capital. A recent survey of investors in the country, released by trading and investing platform eToro, points to a shift in priorities, with women more likely to emphasize long-term security while balancing market exposure with asset classes they view as steadier over time.
The findings come from eToro’s UAE Retail Investor Beat, which surveyed 1,000 retail investors residing in the UAE. Retail investors were defined as self-directed or advised and had to hold at least one investment product, such as shares, bonds or funds, or an equivalent.
Long-term financial security takes the lead
A key theme in the survey is the motivation behind investing. Financial independence was cited as the primary goal by 60% of women respondents, followed by supplementing income (40%) and long-term security (39%). The data also suggests differences between men and women in how they frame investing outcomes. Women were reported to be more likely than men to invest for long-term security, and to generate capital for a future payment.
Time horizons also appear to be a distinguishing factor. The survey reports that 71% of women investors have been investing for more than three years, and women were more likely than men to hold an investment for at least some years.
Financial product preferences reinforce that approach. Savings accounts were the most widely held product among women investors at 84%. Investments such as shares, bonds and funds were held by 79%, indicating that while women participate in markets, they also maintain a balance with vehicles often associated with capital preservation. The survey also notes that women were slightly more likely than men to hold a pension.
Portfolio mix: cash, commodities and real assets
On the allocation side, cash remained dominant in women’s portfolios, held by 54% of respondents. Commodities were also prominent, with almost half of women investors (49%) reporting exposure to the asset class.
Gold stands out within commodities. Among women investors with commodity holdings, gold was reported as the most prevalent holding, with a large share of gold investors viewing it as a long-term store of value and expecting prices to rise. Silver was listed as the second most popular commodity, followed by energy-linked commodities such as oil and natural gas.
Beyond cash and commodities, the survey points to broad diversification. Domestic equities were held by 47% of women investors. Alternative investments such as real estate accounted for 46%.
Sectors of interest: financial services today, renewables tomorrow
The survey differentiates between where women are invested now and where they plan to allocate in the future. Financial services were reported as the leading sector currently held by women investors at 51%, followed by real estate at 42% and technology at 35%.
For future investment interest, renewables lead the list at 43%, followed by communications at 41% and discretionary consumer goods at 39%. The mix suggests that while current portfolios include sectors tied to established market activity, forward-looking allocations are also turning toward themes associated with energy transition and broader connectivity.
Geopolitical uncertainty influences how portfolios are adjusted
Regional conditions and risk perceptions also feature in the survey results. The findings state that 77% of women investors believe geopolitical tensions will affect their investment portfolio. Nearly one-third reported adjusting their portfolios in response to tensions in the Middle East, and almost half said they plan to do so.
Among those who have adjusted, the most common changes included increasing exposure to precious metals and energy commodities. Other reported responses included raising exposure to global equities outside affected regions and shifting toward holding more cash or bonds.
At the same time, the survey indicates that this risk awareness is not translating into market retreat. The results report that many women respondents remain optimistic about the UAE’s near-term outlook, including expectations for the UAE stock market over the next 12 months and confidence in the country’s economy.
Financial advice and decision-making: networks still matter
Beyond asset allocation, the survey highlights how investors seek information and discuss financial decisions. Both men and women were reported to rely on trusted sources such as professional advisors and online investment platforms. However, women were described as more likely to discuss financial topics with family, friends or colleagues.
This detail matters for understanding how retail capital decisions form in practice. It suggests that alongside digital-first investing journeys, social and interpersonal networks remain part of the information ecosystem, potentially shaping risk tolerance, product choices and the pace at which investors act.
What this means for UAE wealth building and fintech
While the survey is specific to women investors in the UAE, the broader implication for finance industry participants is clear: long-term planning and active portfolio management appear to be increasingly mainstream. The reported preference for cash and savings, paired with ongoing allocations to commodities, equities and real assets, reflects a strategy that seeks stability while retaining exposure to market upside.
For fintech and stock trading platforms, the findings underline the importance of aligning product education and user experience with longer holding periods and sector-based themes such as renewables and technology. For regulators and financial planners, the survey reinforces the value of supporting retail investors with clear risk disclosures and practical guidance, particularly when geopolitical developments can affect short-term sentiment.
In the survey period, from March 13, 2026 to March 26, 2026, women investors were not portrayed as disengaged, but as deliberate participants in wealth building. The results suggest that stereotypes about who is investing, and how they invest, do not reflect the current behavior of UAE retail investors.
Note: This article summarizes a survey commissioned by eToro and prepared by research company Appinio. It is based on the survey data described in the release and does not constitute investment advice.
