Emaar Properties, one of Dubai’s largest property developers, has announced a special cash dividend of AED 4.4 billion ($1.2 billion) after reporting an 18 per cent increase in pre-tax profit for the first nine months of 2026.

The company’s pre-tax profit reached AED 19.8 billion ($5.4 billion) during the period, while revenue rose 13 per cent to AED 37.5 billion ($10.2 billion).

The special dividend, equivalent to 50 fils per share, will be paid in addition to the company’s regular annual dividend.

Emaar’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also increased by 19 per cent to AED 19.7 billion ($5.4 billion), with an EBITDA margin of 53 per cent.

According to the company’s financial report, its property sales backlog, which has yet to be recognised as revenue, reached AED 158.8 billion ($43.2 billion) as of September 30, up 6 per cent year on year.

Emaar Group’s total property sales reached AED 34.7 billion ($9.4 billion) in the first nine months of the year, while the company launched 14 new projects across its master-planned residential communities during the period.

AED 4.4 Billion Special Cash Dividend Approved for Shareholders

Emaar’s board of directors has approved a special, one-off cash dividend of AED 4.4 billion.

The payout is equivalent to 50 fils per share, representing 50 per cent of the company’s share capital, and will be distributed separately from Emaar’s regular annual dividend.

The decision follows the company’s financial performance and the continued construction and handover of its residential projects across the UAE.

Emaar delivered more than 4,800 residential units in the UAE during the first nine months of 2026.

As of September 30, more than 80 per cent of the company’s active projects in the UAE were ahead of schedule.

Emaar Development Revenue Rises 26%

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, said of the company’s nine-month financial results: “Our performance reflects the efforts made across Emaar, from construction sites and property handovers to the day-to-day management of our destinations and developments.”

He added: “Buying a home is a significant financial commitment, and our responsibility continues long after the sale. We earn that trust through the quality we deliver and the long-term performance of our residential communities.”

Alabbar said Emaar’s teams remain focused on maintaining this quality and investing in the company’s next phase of growth.

Emaar’s property development and sales operations in the UAE recorded sales of AED 26.2 billion ($7.1 billion) in the first nine months of the year.

Emaar Development also posted revenue of AED 22.2 billion ($6 billion), up 26% year on year.

The company’s profit before tax rose 28% to AED 12.5 billion ($3.4 billion).

Including Emaar’s other property development operations in the UAE, such as the Dubai Creek Harbour project, the segment’s consolidated revenue increased 18% to AED 28.3 billion ($7.7 billion).

The value of the UAE property development segment’s sales backlog also reached AED 127.2 billion ($34.6 billion).

14 Residential Projects Unveiled, Billion-Dirham Contracts Awarded

Emaar unveiled 14 new residential projects during the period, including Serra and Serra 2 at The Heights Country Club & Wellness, Valia at Dubai Creek Harbour and Alva at The Valley.

Emaar Development also awarded 23 main construction contracts worth AED 13.5 billion ($3.7 billion) and 43 infrastructure contracts valued at AED 4.3 billion ($1.2 billion).

Emaar Group’s total land bank available for development stands at around 604 million square feet, including 315 million square feet in the UAE.

Emaar hotel occupancy falls from 80% to 63%

Despite growth in its property and shopping mall businesses, Emaar’s hospitality division in the UAE recorded a decline in occupancy, attributed to a drop in international tourist numbers amid regional conditions.

The average occupancy rate at Emaar hotels in the UAE fell to 63% during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 80% in the same period last year.

Revenue from Emaar’s hospitality, leisure and entertainment division reached AED 2.4 billion, or about $700 million, during the period.

Emaar said domestic and local demand helped offset some of the impact of the decline in international tourist numbers.

Emaar Hospitality Group also opened the Vida Aljada hotel in Sharjah in September, marking the brand’s first presence in the emirate.

Emaar Malls Maintain 98% Occupancy Rate

Emaar’s shopping malls, retail and commercial leasing operations also delivered a positive performance.

Revenue from the segment rose 10% year on year to AED 5.2 billion ($1.4 billion).

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased by 8% to AED 4.4 billion ($1.2 billion).

As of September 30, the average occupancy rate across the company’s shopping malls and commercial properties stood at around 98%.

During the same period, Dubai Mall expanded its retail offering with the opening of Primark’s first UAE store and Ulta Beauty’s second outlet in the country, alongside new luxury stores in Fashion Avenue.

Total revenue from Emaar’s recurring-revenue businesses, including shopping malls, hospitality, leisure, entertainment and commercial leasing, reached AED 7.6 billion ($2.1 billion), broadly unchanged from the same period last year.

EBITDA from these operations reached AED 5.9 billion ($1.6 billion), accounting for 30% of Emaar Group’s total EBITDA.

Emaar’s International Property Sales Reach $2.3 Billion

Emaar’s international property development operations also recorded growth in the first nine months of 2026.

Property sales in international markets rose 5 per cent year on year to AED8.5 billion ($2.3 billion).

Revenue from international property development increased 16 per cent to AED1.6 billion (about $400 million), accounting for 4.3 per cent of Emaar Group’s total revenue.

The company continued its operations in key international markets, particularly Egypt and India.

Emaar said it would align the timing of new project launches and investment decisions with market conditions while continuing construction on projects under development.

According to the published financial results, growth in property revenue and profit, higher international sales and sustained high occupancy rates at shopping malls were among the key drivers of Emaar’s performance in the first nine months of 2026. However, the company’s hospitality business was affected by a decline in international tourist numbers.