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Inform technique with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to assist your strategic instructions. Validate financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up confident decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Opportunity to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (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 totally free trade pact 'very quickly'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual United States financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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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 meaningful new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated possessions did well for the many part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF released on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Strategic Strategy for Regional LeadershipEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil prices, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless 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 actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained constant, with average 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, enabling investors to change positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have 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 High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Strategic Strategy for Regional LeadershipDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping positive development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and international economic uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
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