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Inform method with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to guide your tactical instructions. Validate investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly 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 Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," 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 prepares to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets succeeded for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
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 published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting brand-new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, maintaining favorable development momentum in current years. While disputes in the larger region and international economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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