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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to direct your tactical instructions. Validate financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
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Total properties held broadly consistent 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 background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties succeeded for the most part. On the favorable 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 approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of greater oil prices, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, 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 taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without considerable main developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused 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 expected to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Advanced Planning for Middle East SuccessDespite continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, maintaining favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider region and international financial uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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