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Notify strategy with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and customer need to assist your tactical instructions. Confirm financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In 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) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens international financial 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 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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Total assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
A Strategic Guide to Regional Market Success for 2026Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil prices, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
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 published positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific direct exposures, while lowering or turning out of others.

Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resistant and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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