Trading Stocks By Night, Stability By Day

Two Jobs, One Goal: UAE Residents Trade Stocks at Night

In the United Arab Emirates, more people are choosing to be actively present in the stock market at night, mainly focusing on US markets, alongside their daytime jobs. Their goal is not necessarily to leave their job; rather, it is about financial stability and, long-term, achieving financial freedom. Amidst rising inflation, fluctuating wage levels, and high living costs, many feel they cannot rely on just one source of income.

The Reality of a Double Life

Most individuals start their work in an office or a company in the morning, finish their daily tasks around three or four in the afternoon, and then, after a short break, they transition to another "office" - their own home trading desk. The US stock market opens at 5:30 PM in the UAE time zone, perfectly fitting into the post-work hours.

Among these part-time traders, many have taught themselves the basics through self-education. They started learning using online courses, demo accounts, and technical analyses - often with small mistakes and losses but with a determined intent to improve. Most now operate with strict risk management, trading with a 1-2% maximum risk per position and using fixed stop-loss levels to protect their portfolios.

Why Don't They Leave Their Jobs?

The most crucial factor is financial security. Many believe the market is too unpredictable to solely cover essential living expenses, such as rent or school fees. Stock market income serves more as a supplement, savings, or investment fund - it is not a primary source of livelihood.

Some are making around 180,000 dirhams annually from trading, yet they do not consider replacing their full-time job with it. A bad month could take away up to a third of the entire year's profit. Experienced traders say the most important lesson is not to trade emotionally, not to chase the market, and always have a structured, pre-planned strategy.

Personal Growth in the Reflective World of Markets

Stock trading offers more than just financial advantage. Those who take it seriously quickly learn how to manage stress, how to patiently wait for good opportunities, and how to react calmly even when a position does not go as expected.

The best traders document and journal each trade: what were the entry and exit points, why they made those decisions, and what mistakes were made. This continuous self-reflection distinguishes professional trading from gambling.

Summary

In the UAE, more workers are choosing a dual career: working a stable job during the day and actively trading on the US stock exchanges at night. While it can be financially rewarding, most do not leave their primary job. For them, trading is not an escape route but a conscious financial decision - a search for a new kind of freedom within the bounds of security.

(The article is based on accounts from workers in Dubai.)