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Notify method with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical direction. Verify financial investment plans: Make sure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session brings together board professionals to analyze the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber resilience Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the newest insights, trends, and strategies provided directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.
Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Global macro conditions set a challenging background.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil costs, 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. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually 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 careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, 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 taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the region stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure concentrated on international 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 expected to release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Why Data Shapes Regional Corporate VisionIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving positive development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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