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Optimising Operational ROI through Advanced Market Research
Will Market Analytics Drive Middle East Corporate Success?
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Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your strategic direction. Validate financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces international economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," 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 at least double yearly United States investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
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This inaugural session combines board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated but development slowing down. Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a challenging background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
How Does Operational Excellence Essential for Future Expansion?Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil rates, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. In spite 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 actually 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, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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