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The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most 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 released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the wider area and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up 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.
How to Enhance Middle East Corporate PlanningThe IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international development reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps aimed at bring in foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.
The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to increase 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) jobs global growth 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 comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.
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 governments broaden financial investment in services, facilities, 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, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
How to Enhance Middle East Corporate PlanningPublic-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps intended at bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play a supportive function in 2026.
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