Strategic Strategy for GCC Leadership

The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring in new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, enabling investors to change positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide high-end and customer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Strategic Strategy for Middle East Leadership

In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the larger region and international economic uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

How to Utilize GCC Intelligence for 2026 Growth

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures focused on attracting foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the area's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth 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 relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Strategy for GCC Leadership

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 increase as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures intended at drawing in foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.