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Notify technique with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to direct your tactical direction. Validate investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session brings together board specialists to analyze the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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Total assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Leveraging Regional Trends for Effective Saudi Market CombinationPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil rates, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. In spite 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 conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF significantly outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting specific exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the region stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure concentrated on global luxury and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to release in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping favorable development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and global economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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