Corporate Strategy for Regional Leadership

The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on performance.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without substantial main developments or redemptions.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Advanced Planning for Regional Success

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the wider region and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth relieving 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 comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Achieving Strategic Excellence in Regional Markets

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures focused on drawing in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a supportive function in 2026.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Utilize GCC Intelligence for 2026 Success

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

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures targeted at attracting foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.