Strategic Planning for Middle East Excellence

The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or turning out of others.

Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global high-end 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 launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development 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 impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Key Findings Within 2026 Regional Market Research Reports

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and global economic uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs worldwide growth alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Ways to Utilize GCC Research for Growth

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as federal governments expand financial investment in services, facilities, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a supportive function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent typically in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Utilize Market Intelligence for Success

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps aimed at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.