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Inform method with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and customer need to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Overall properties held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related assets did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation instead of broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items drawing in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
How Future-Focused Strategy Reshapes the GCC EconomyIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader area and worldwide economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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