ABU DHABI, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fell sharply on Wednesday as trading resumed after a two-day precautionary suspension, with investors reacting to escalating regional geopolitical tensions.

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) General Index dropped by about 4.7 percent to nearly 5 percent, marking its steepest single-day decline in almost two years. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) fell 1.9 percent, marking its worst session since last April despite recovering some early losses.

Market analysts described the sell-off as reflecting delayed price discovery rather than panic-driven liquidation, as investors absorbed several days of global and regional developments at once following the trading halt.

Banking, real estate and aviation stocks led the decline, weighing heavily on both exchanges. However, market experts noted that the broader economic outlook remains supported by solid corporate fundamentals, elevated oil prices, and continued expansion in the UAE's non-oil sectors.

While short-term volatility may persist amid geopolitical uncertainty, analysts added that the country's macroeconomic stability and diversified growth drivers are expected to provide resilience over the medium to long term. ■