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Notify method with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and customer need to assist your strategic instructions. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major 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 strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'really quickly'," 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 decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing down. Overall assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil prices, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting new capital.
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 taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. 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 introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
A Comprehensive Guide to GCC Industrial Success for 2026Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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