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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client demand to assist your tactical instructions. Verify financial investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In action, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
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Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. International macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil prices, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing 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 likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity stayed 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 place in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial primary developments or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Assessing the Prospective of Saudi Arabia's Emerging Urban HubsRegardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate resilience, keeping favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader area and global financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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