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Notify technique with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to direct your strategic instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical agreements," 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 plans to a minimum of double annual United States financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated but development slowing. Overall assets held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Global macro conditions set a challenging background.
The outcome 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 positive 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 authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the a lot of 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 focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in new capital.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global high-end and customer brand names. 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 introduce 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 throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader region and global financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far limited their impact on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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