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Inform method with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic direction. Confirm financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group 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 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 Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces international financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next years," Might 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 consolidation phase, with activity remaining elevated however development slowing down. Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized 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 across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of higher oil prices, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling investors to change positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global luxury and customer 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 release in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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