Advanced Planning for Middle East Excellence

The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without significant primary creations or redemptions.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.

Ensuring Operational Excellence in the GCC

In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping favorable development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global development reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the region 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

Key Data Within Latest Regional Market Analysis Reports

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

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures intended at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a supportive function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Strategic Planning for GCC Leadership

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

Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures intended at drawing in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the region's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a supportive role in 2026.