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Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and statistics covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area forecasted to outperform its 2025 performance in spite of muted oil earnings and continuous worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly constant global backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major driver of the region's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable incomes are expected to fuel a surge in customer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise anticipated to remain raised as access to financial services widens. With GCC central banks expected to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decrease, providing families and companies further impetus to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten and worldwide demand enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a local outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports expected to raise its total economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan prepares for a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise fully if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

In spite of shortterm dangers connected to oil prices and global need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in fundamentals: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these factors aligning, the area is getting ready for among its most well balanced periods of growth recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic item of the GCC area is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no noteworthy effect on local development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It added: "Meanwhile, oil production has actually gradually increased, supplying an increase to the region's economies. We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial growth in the area is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued development toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their international peers. Oxford Economics stated that low inflation has actually assisted secure growth in genuine non reusable income, which has also been supported by strong need and very low joblessness rates."We do not envision any let-up, as governments continue to promote higher foreign direct financial investment in their push to diversify their economies away from oil and gas," the report added.

In December, the IMF even more stated that headline inflation is expected to stay listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and somewhat above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by additional cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by reducing financial policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance costs and increase non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.