DEWS Fund Performance January 2026

January 2026 was a good start to the year for DEWS.

For those still getting familiar with EOSB Savings Schemes, DEWS was the first official End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB) Savings Plan introduced on a mandatory basis for DIFC employers in 2020. A second DIFC plan, GO SAVER, was introduced in 2025, which we'll cover in the next article.

DEWS currently offers 11 investment options across different asset classes and risk profiles. To make performance easier to understand, these funds have been grouped into four broad categories: money market, fixed income, diversified and equity funds, alongside their risk profile on a 7-point scale. This makes it easier to understand why different fund categories behave differently as market conditions change, and why higher-risk funds typically show greater volatility in returns.

What happened in January?

Diversified funds. Diversified funds, including the default fund, delivered strong performance during the month, returning between 1.7% and 2.4%. These funds collectively account for approximately 83% of DEWS assets and benefited from positive equity markets, broader market participation and generally stable bond conditions.

Equity funds. DEWS equity strategies, which are largely focused on US markets, gained between 1.6% and 1.7% in January. Performance was supported by gains across a wider range of sectors and companies, rather than being concentrated in a small number of large technology stocks.

Fixed income and money market funds. These continued to perform their intended role of providing stability and capital preservation. Returns were supported by current interest rate levels and limited movement in bond prices during the month.

What does this mean for DEWS members?

Overall, January was a strong month for DEWS savers.

However, EOSB savings schemes are designed to operate over many years and monthly performance should therefore be viewed in context. Generally, longer-term performance over 5 years is more indicative of scheme outcomes.

More importantly, employees should understand the different fund categories, the risks associated with each and select investment options that align with their personal financial objectives and risk tolerance.

As with all investments, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.