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The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, preserving favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the larger area and worldwide financial uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth 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) jobs worldwide growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.
Data 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 rise as governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and technology. 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 financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.
3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable total conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region 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 regional risk conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as governments expand financial investment in services, facilities, and technology. 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 increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.
How Shared Solutions Are Driving Digital Transformation in the GulfPublic-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures aimed at attracting foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.
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