Driving Operational Excellence in the Middle East

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in brand-new capital.

Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without significant main creations or redemptions.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

Essential Data Within Latest GCC Market Research Reports

In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping positive development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the larger area and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.

3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Corporate Planning for Regional Leadership

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Corporate Planning for Regional Leadership

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the region's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play an encouraging function in 2026.