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Company news and monetary news, analysis, opinion and statistics covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area projected to outshine its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil earnings and ongoing worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a resistant nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the newest projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly steady international backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major driver of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable incomes are expected to fuel a surge in consumer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to remain elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decline, providing homes and organizations even more inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended image.

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This could weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more depending on oil extraction. Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its total financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its financial deficit by two portion points. Nevertheless, the report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development agendas.

In spite of shortterm risks tied to oil costs and international need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and strategic financial planning. With these aspects lining up, the region is getting ready for one of its most well balanced periods of growth in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to stay resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic product of the GCC area is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no notable effect on regional growth, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "On the other hand, oil production has slowly increased, offering a boost to the region's economies. We anticipate GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial growth in the area is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities represented 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's ongoing progress towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their global peers. Oxford Economics stated that low inflation has actually helped safeguard growth in real non reusable earnings, which has likewise been supported by strong need and really low unemployment rates."We do not imagine any let-up, as federal governments continue to push for greater foreign direct financial investment in their push to diversify their economies away from oil and gas," the report added.

In December, the IMF further stated that heading inflation is expected to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and lending is projected to be supported by more cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing financial policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing costs and increase non reusable earnings and need," stated the report.