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The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products bring in brand-new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader area and global economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable total conditions.
How Is Operational Excellence Vital for 2026 Growth?The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures intended at drawing in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures focused on bring in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the area's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.
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