Ways to Leverage GCC Research for 2026 Success

Inform strategy with evidence: Use independent information on market confidence, growth, and customer demand to direct your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next decade," May 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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ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Total assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough background.

The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets succeeded for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of items.

Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil rates, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

How to Leverage Market Research for Success

Egypt provided strong performance 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment instead of broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in brand-new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Ways to Leverage GCC Intelligence for Growth

Trading activity stayed consistent, 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, allowing financiers to change positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays resilient and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.

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

Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, keeping favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader area and international economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.