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Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and statistics covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region predicted to surpass its 2025 efficiency despite muted oil profits and ongoing global uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly stable international background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major chauffeur of the region's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable earnings are expected to fuel a surge in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise forecast to remain raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC main banks anticipated to follow anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are likely to decline, offering homes and companies further impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a combined image.

Comparing Legacy Models and 2026 Economic Strategies

This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and global demand enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to raise its general financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm risks connected to oil rates and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in basics: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic financial planning. With these aspects lining up, the area is preparing for one of its most balanced durations of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC area is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has actually had no significant effect on regional growth, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It added: "On the other hand, oil production has gradually increased, providing a boost to the region's economies. We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial development in the region is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued development towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their global peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that heading inflation is anticipated to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and lending is projected to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving monetary policy even more, which in turn will decrease debt servicing costs and improve non reusable income and demand," said the report.