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1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Raise 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) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual United States financial investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth 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 meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated properties succeeded for the a lot of part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute 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 approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 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 favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance 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 published favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to change positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider region and international financial uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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