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Notify technique with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to assist your strategic direction. Confirm investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive 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 Statement 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces international economic ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade 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 financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining elevated however growth slowing down. Total assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil associated possessions did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 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 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 focused in specific nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly 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 amidst higher oil costs, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing 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 dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without substantial main creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resistant and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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