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Notify method with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to direct your strategic direction. Validate investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive 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 Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (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 programme enhances worldwide 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 plans to a minimum of double yearly US investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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Total assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCCPerformance 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 direct exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct 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 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 posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in 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 sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained 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 change positions without significant main productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region remains durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury 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 final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCCDespite 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 growth momentum recently. While disputes in the wider area and global financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
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