How to Utilize Market Intelligence for 2026 Success

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance instead of broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

Corporate Planning for GCC Excellence

In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, preserving positive development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide financial uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.

3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide development reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Crucial Insights From Latest GCC Market Research Reports

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, facilities, and innovation. 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 increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures intended at attracting foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a supportive role in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development alleviating 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, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Crucial Findings Within Latest GCC Market Research Reports

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across 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 remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on attracting foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a supportive role in 2026.