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The Comprehensive Guide to Regional Market Success for 2026
Maximizing Corporate Efficiency Through Operational Excel...
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Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to assist your tactical instructions. Confirm investment strategies: Guarantee resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement 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 Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual US financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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Overall properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital implementation. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related properties succeeded for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized 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 made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive 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 delivered strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing 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 also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed consistent, 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 actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, maintaining positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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