Major Shifts in the 2026 Middle East Economy

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ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise 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)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program enhances international economic ties with 26 strategic 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 a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.

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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity staying raised but development slowing. Overall properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.

The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions did well for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid greater oil rates, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

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Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF substantially outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items drawing in brand-new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without significant main 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 scenario.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 release in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping positive development momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the broader region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.