All Categories
Featured
Table of Contents
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, keeping favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating 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 toward more positive general conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated 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 position the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and technology. 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 financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps focused on bring in foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a supportive role in 2026.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development predicted to rise 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) tasks global growth easing 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 growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. 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, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.
Is Your Qatar Method Lined Up With New Regulatory Realities?Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at attracting foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a supportive role in 2026.
Latest Posts
Actionable Tips for Navigating the 2026 GCC Landscape
Can Strategic Analytics Define Dubai Corporate Success?
Maximising Corporate Efficiency through Advanced Market Planning