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Company news and financial news, analysis, opinion and data covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region predicted to surpass its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil revenues and ongoing global unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the current forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic demand and a broadly steady global background. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant driver of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable earnings are anticipated to sustain a surge in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit development is also anticipated to remain elevated as access to monetary services expands. With GCC reserve banks anticipated to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are likely to decrease, giving households and businesses further impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, especially for economies more dependent on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and global demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports expected to raise its overall economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan expects a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement agendas.

Despite shortterm threats connected to oil prices and worldwide need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in principles: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these elements lining up, the region is getting ready for among its most balanced durations of expansion in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly steady international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC region is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC growth will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated 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 ongoing progress toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more said that heading inflation is anticipated to stay 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 expected to remain elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and loaning is forecasted to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce debt servicing expenses and enhance non reusable income and need," said the report.