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Inform technique with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your tactical direction. Validate financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances worldwide financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double annual US financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated but growth slowing down. Overall possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated properties succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Evaluating Traditional Systems and Future Business StrategiesEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil prices, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF significantly surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in brand-new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without significant main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Predicting the Next Middle East Business LandscapeRegardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far restricted their impact on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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