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Notify method with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to assist your strategic instructions. Validate investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: 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 Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate 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 global economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly United States investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated but growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital release. International macro conditions set a tough background.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related properties succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. 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 consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency 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. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring in new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end 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 associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the 2026 GCC LandscapeIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, keeping favorable development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and worldwide financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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