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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances international financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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Overall assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil rates, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in 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 stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains resistant and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and consumer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Will Dubai Sustain Industrial Growth through 2026?Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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