The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) closed a quarter percentage point lower at 2,495.31 points. The sheikhdom’s top lenders National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank both added slightly and closed at Dhs9 ($2.45).

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. or Taqa surged 2.56% to reach Dhs1.20 ($2.45), but market bellwether Etisalat (off 0.36% at Dhs8.56 or $2.33) weighed on the measure.

Trading volumes continued to melt like ice in the sunshine, as 28.6 million shares worth Dhs48.83 million ($13.30 million) changed hands, AMEinfo reported.