Key Shifts in the 2026 GCC Market thumbnail

Key Shifts in the 2026 GCC Market

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5 min read


Inform method with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Guarantee resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces global economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'very soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

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How Is Operational Excellence Essential for Future Expansion?

The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination stage, with activity staying raised but development slowing. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough background.

The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.

How Is Business Excellence Crucial for Future Expansion?

Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector likewise dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

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Key Shifts in the Future Middle East Market

Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.

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