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Notify technique with evidence: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and customer need to direct your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Make sure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens international financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double yearly United States 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, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
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This inaugural session brings together board specialists to examine the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
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Overall assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. International macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil rates, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust 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 worldwide luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the wider region and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have up until now limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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