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Optimising Operational ROI through Advanced Market Research
Will Market Analytics Drive Middle East Corporate Success?
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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, growth, and client need to direct your strategic direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up confident choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate 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 Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," 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 plans to at least double yearly United States 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, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying raised but development slowing down. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt delivered 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 positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute 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, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the wider area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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